Compensation claims for livestock losses in Manitoba due to predators were up slightly last year, according to figures released by the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp., or MASC.
More than 1,227 claims were received in 2006, for which $363,660 was paid out to producers who lost cattle, calves, sheep and lambs. Total payments were up more than $20,000 over the previous year’s total, which saw 1,139 claims.
“As many cattle producers are now beginning calving operations, we will be continuing this program, which is intended to protect livestock and other personal property against predators,” said provincial conservation minister Stan Struthers.
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He noted that the Manitoba Trappers Association had killed 147 problem predators in connection with 64 requests for predator control services under the program during the spring and summer of 2006.
Producers can become eligible for assistance by reporting incidents of predator attacks to the MASC office, which will then provide a claim number and assign an adjuster to verify the loss.
The producer can then contact the trappers association and request that a member of the association catch the animal using humane trapping methods. Landowners must sign a liability release form before the trapper will come onto the property.
The trappers association and Manitoba Conservation will host a series of problem wildlife management workshops in February to provide instruction on how to deal with four-legged pests, including beavers, coyotes, foxes and wolves.
