Beef producers across the province are being asked to fill out a survey over the next month to determine how wildlife affects their ranching operations.
Alberta Beef Producers is working with ranchers and the Miistakis Institute on a survey that hopes to gather information to measure the impact wildlife encounters have on producers and how those producers might better be compensated for any losses they suffer as a result.
Miistakis will also do an analysis of compensation programs currently available to producers and review scientific literature on the issue. Overall, the survey wants to improve the coexistence between beef producers and wildlife so that both flourish.
Currently there is no accurate number on the amount of losses cattle producers incur on an annual basis due to wildlife encounters. This is the first in-depth survey of the problem in Alberta.
"That's exactly what we're trying to figure out. We have anecdotal information and information from the compensation programs as far as what they've paid out, but the missing link, and they've done a lot of this in other jurisdictions, is what doesn't get reported. That number in a lot of areas turns out to be fairly substantial,î said Kim Good, the survey's project manager for the Miistakis Institute.
The survey will recognize farmers and ranchers as stewards of the land who bear significant costs in supporting wildlife. It aims to develop fair methods for compensating producers for losses.
Currently Agriculture Financial Services Corporation pays compensation to grain, forage and beef producers. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development also pays compensation to producers for predatory impacts (except coyotes).
But Good said the agricultural industry is trying to understand what the real costs are (as opposed to estimates) as well as producers' perceptions of what those costs are. Good also said there are regional differences that aren't very well understood, so the survey hopes to better clarify what those are.
"Farmers and ranchers generally don't keep track of what it costs for their time that keeps them away from other parts of their business, so we want to understand that,î she said.
"I think what we are able to do (through the survey) is better understand what's causing certain behaviours.î
Good added that there are international programs that address some of these issues, but a better understanding of the Alberta context might allow those programs to be modified provincially.
Survey organizers would like to hear from more than 2,000 producers in order to get a broad analysis of the issue, including those who haven't been impacted by wildlife. The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/beefsurvey. Hard copies of the survey are also available by calling Alberta Beef Producers at 403-275-4400. The survey period ends on March 5.
The project received $30,000 from Alberta Beef Producers, municipalities and the Miistakis Institite.
"Farners and ranchers generally don't keep track of what it costs for their time that keeps them away from other parts of their business, so we want to understand that."Kim Goodproject managerbeef producer survcy
