Wolf Investigations Questioned & WSPC Grant Funding

Wolf Investigations Questioned & WSPC Grant Funding

I’m Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

Wolf activity in the Wedge area seems to be on the rise again as cattle rancher Len McIrvin, owner of the Diamond M Ranch, reports that wolves killed a three day old calf on his ranch this month. The Diamond M is where Fish and Wildlife officials killed six wolves from the Wedge Pack last September after the wolves had attacked and killed more than sixteen cattle there. Although fresh wolf tracks were found nearby, the WDFW says the case is unconfirmed as the calf was 95% consumed and that the department hasn’t found anything that merits setting a trap to try to collar wolves. Washington Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Jack Field.

FIELD: By increasing the human presence there may be an opportunity to mitigate and prevent some wolf depredations. Without having collars on the wolves though it’s very difficult to have a high level of success because you really don’t know where the wolves are in relation to the cattle and it makes it difficult to effectively really get in and be that buffer between the cattle and the wolves.

The Washington State Potato Commission has announced that applications for grant funding are now available to those processors, fresh potato shippers and exporters who would like to increase awareness of Washington state potatoes in their export markets for the 2013/14 marketing year. Grant applications can be obtained through the WSPC office and must be returned by August 2. For more information contact the WSPC at 509-765-8845.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Ag Information Network.