Protecting Livestock from Black Vultures
Are you experiencing a loss of cattle and sheep in birthing pastures to federally protected vultures? Learn the rules and regulations in place for protecting livestock from black vultures. Hear from Illinois Farm Bureau, University of Illinois Extension, and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services Program on options and programs available for producers.
A free virtual informational session will be held from 10 – 11 AM (CST) on February 23. This program is free but pre-registration is requested. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom call details. Register at bit.ly/3rkjWyN.
“There are certain things that can be done, including clearing dead trees and tree limbs, ensuring any carcasses are properly buried or removed, and using ‘bird bombs’ or loud noises to keep them from gathering. Still, because they’re a protected species, we want to make sure farmers know exactly what can and can’t be done and this session will clearly outline that information.” – Tasha Bunting, Illinois Farm Bureau, Associate Director of Commodities & Livestock Programs
If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please email Tbunting@ilfb.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Presenters
Scott Beckerman, Director, USDA Wildlife Services Program
Beckerman received bachelor's and master's degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Missouri- Columbia. He began his career mitigating conflicts with wildlife with the Wildlife Services program in 1992 working in Missouri, and subsequently worked as a wildlife biologist in Iowa, as a district supervisor in southern Wisconsin, and as an assistant state director in California helping people resolve conflicts with wildlife. Beckerman has been the state director for the USDA’s Wildlife Services Program in Illinois since 2006, helping Illinoisans mitigate conflicts with wildlife.
Teresa Steckler, Commercial Ag Educator, Illinois Extension
Steckler is an Illinois Extension educator located at the Dixon Springs Agriculture Center. As a livestock commercial ag educator with state-wide responsibilities, she develops and delivers educational programs that address beef cow/calf and small ruminant production. Steckler uses a multidisciplinary approach to advance animal production technology to enhance the health and productivity of both agricultural industry livestock and workers resulting in industry sustainability and environmental protection.
Brad Wilson, USDA Wildlife Services Program
Wilson graduated from Western Illinois University with both bachelor's and master's degrees in Biology, with an emphasis in Zoology in 2000 and 2004. He then worked for several agencies, including the Soil and Water Conservation District, INHS, IDNR, and the Illinois State Museum, before acquiring a position with USDA WS. Wilson currently works out of the Springfield office as a wildlife biologist and the feral swine coordinator for the state.