Black vulture attacks on livestock are a serious and costly issue for many Tennessee producers who experience losses of livestock.
Unfortunately, producers are limited in legal methods of removing problem black vultures since they are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Previously, the only legal option to protect livestock from depredation was to apply annually for an individual black vulture depredation permit for $100.
We are pleased to announce the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation board of directors has obtained a statewide depredation permit for black vultures from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
This permit provides Farm Bureau members who are livestock producers an opportunity to apply for a livestock protection depredation sub-permit allowing legal “takes” of black vultures that are attacking livestock. The statewide permit will be administered by TFBF. There is no cost to TFBF members who apply for a TFBF livestock protection depredation sub-permit.
Sub-permits will be issued to livestock operations only. Applications will be scored based on the information provided regarding past depredation history, proximity of black vulture roosts, number of livestock on the farm and the general livestock density of the area based on the most recent Tennessee Agricultural Statistic Service.
Applicants must agree to follow all rules and regulations required by USFWS in the TFBF statewide permit, including:
1. Adoption of non-lethal measures to deter black vulture depredation
2. Use of shotguns and “non-toxic” shot in the lethal “taking” of depredating black vultures
3. Report “takes” to TFBF quarterly
4. Use of black vulture carcasses as effigies in areas where depredation is occurring.
Producers approved for sub-permits will receive a signed approval and sub-permit with an allotted number of black vulture “takes,” a copy of the TFBF statewide depredation permit, guidelines for removal methods and a black vulture dispatch log.
Producers experiencing extreme depredation and large black vulture roosts are encouraged to apply for an individual black vulture depredation permit with USFWS. Individual permits allow producers to be approved for a larger number of “takes” by USFWS.
Sub-permit applications are available at: www.tnfarmbureau.org/blackvultures (Black Vulture sub-permit 2018) or at any county Farm Bureau office in Tennessee.
Applications should be returned to Tennessee Farm Bureau, Attn: Debbie Briggs, P.O. Box 313, Columbia TN, 38402.
Dicamba Certification Class Scheduled
For those who are interested in applying XtendiMax or Eugenia Dicamba formulations on commercial row crops, there will a workshop to receive the certification required to apply the herbicide.
The training will be offered by the UT-TSU Extension Warren County and will be conducted in the Magnolia Room of the Warren County Administrative Building this Wednesday, March 21, at 2 p.m.
This session will take approximately one hour and cost $25. If you are interested just be at the Magnolia Room on the specified date and time. There is no need to preregister.
Small/ Beginning Farmers Class
Over the past several years, I had the opportunity to serve on a team of UT Extension agents and specialists that planned and implemented a brief day-long program covering everything from basic plant care; basic animal needs; resources for those involved in agriculture; and government programs that provide funding resources for new or beginning farmers, etc. This program was offered throughout the state in various locations last year and met with great success--so much success that it is now available on the county level.
We are excited to be the first county in the state to host this wonderful program. The program will be offered on Tuesday evenings, April 10 and 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the TSU Nursery Research Center, 472 Cadillac Lane, McMinnville. Cost for the course is $25 which covers the course, refreshments, and course materials.
Highlights of the course include University of Tennessee agents and specialists along with local officials covering “When to call a Vet,” “Tax Issues,” “Potential Risks,” and “Possible enterprises.”
If you are interested in participating, please give UT-TSU Extension a call at 473-8484, or drop by our office at 201 Locust Street, Ste. 10, McMinnville.
Contact Heath Nokes, UT-TSU Extension Warren County, 473-8484, hnokes@utk.edu.
