Maurice Smigelski can take part of the credit for a healthy wolf population in his area.
The cattle producer believes wolves kill an average of 10 calves on his farm each year, a loss of $6,000 annually.
“I’ve seen them attacking the cattle,” said Smigelski, who farms 30 kilometres southwest of The Pas, Man. “I usually try to chase them away, but it doesn’t work too good. If they maim an animal, they’ll usually come back within a day to finish it off.”
Smigelski has farmed near The Pas since 1982. Wolves have been a threat to his 300-cow herd ever since he moved there. Although he has never shot a wolf on his land, Smigelski said he has been tempted “many, many times.”
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A program was started this year to help Manitoba farmers who lose livestock to natural predators. The program compensates farmers for livestock killed or injured by bears, cougars, wolves, foxes or coyotes.
Government funded
The livestock predation compensation program is overseen by the Manitoba Crop Insurance Corp. and Manitoba’s natural resources department. Funding comes from the province and Ottawa.
Since the program was announced in July, 75 claims have been filed by producers. More than $50,000 has already been paid out.
“It’s the gamut of animals,” said Brian Halstead of Manitoba Crop Insurance. “Just about everything that’s covered had some losses.”
Compensation is available when natural predators attack cattle, horses, sheep, swine and goats. Exotic animals such as elk, fallow deer, bison, ostriches, emus and llamas are also covered.
Farmers are eligible for compensation for livestock killed as far back as April 1, 1997. Claims will only be considered, however, if a complaint was filed with the natural resources department within 72 hours of an attack.
Other details of the compensation program:
- Veterinary bills are covered for injured animals.
- Producers must follow acceptable farming practices and must try to prevent losses in order to be compensated.
- If the dead animal has a salvage value, the compensation will be reduced by the amount of that salvage value.
- When the actual cause of death can’t be confirmed, but the probable cause is livestock predation, the producer will receive half of the animal’s value.
- In cases where livestock is injured, money spent by the producer to treat the animal will be paid up to the value of the animal.
The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association lobbied for compensation to producers losing livestock to natural predators. One of the association’s greatest concerns was animals killed by wolves in Manitoba’s northern farm regions.
However, association president Blair Olafson said bears are also a concern this year.
“They’re finding a lot of bear kill this year,” said Olafson, who farms alongside Lake Manitoba. “They’re all through Manitoba this year. There’s no berries, and they’re giving us a lot of trouble.”
