07/15/2025
Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025: A Lifeline for Livestock Producers
U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and fellow Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and John Cornyn (R-TX) have taken a major step to protect farmers' and ranchers' livelihoods by introducing the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025. This bill seeks to tackle the growing threat of black vultures to newborn livestock nationwide.
Understanding the Threat
Most people view vultures as scavengers that clean up the carcasses of dead animals. However, this isn't true for Black Vultures. These large, predatory birds actively hunt and consume live animals. They are ruthless, often hunting in flocks of 20 or more, stalking and then attacking young livestock. Most commonly, they target pregnant animals, waiting for the right moment to pounce - when they are giving birth and when the mother is vulnerable and unable to protect her young. Their primary targets include newborn calves, lambs, goat kids, and piglets.
In 2015, Black Vultures were the third leading cause of calf deaths due to predators, following coyotes and unknown predators, causing 24,600 or 10% of all calf deaths due to predators. Between 2020 and 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services reported nearly a 25% rise in Black Vulture attacks on cattle.
Charlie Beshar, Chair of the NCBA Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee, said, “These birds are extremely vicious predators, and their attacks on cattle are devastating, both emotionally and financially.” On average, each calf lost to such attacks costs ranchers approximately $2,000.
Beshar recognizes the importance of Black Vultures in the ecosystem and emphasizes that cattle producers do not wish to eliminate them. Nevertheless, he describes the current management system for these birds as both restrictive and absurd. “The species is abundant across the continent, and no longer a conservation concern.” According to the US Geological Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey, the Black Vulture population has increased by approximately 468% to more than 190 million birds since 1990. Black Vultures have been protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
Key Provisions of the Act
The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 proposes the following changes:
• Elimination of Depredation Permits: Farmers and ranchers would no longer need to obtain a depredation permit to take Black Vultures threatening their livestock.
• Annual Reporting: Producers would be required to submit an annual report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service detailing the number of black vultures taken.
• Prohibition of Poison: The use of poison as a method to control Black Vultures would remain prohibited.
These measures aim to provide immediate relief to livestock producers while ensuring continued monitoring of Black Vulture populations.
Broad Support from the Agricultural Community
The legislation has garnered endorsements from numerous agricultural organizations, including:
• National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
• American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)
• U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA)
• Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association (TSGRA)
• Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA)
These groups recognize the urgent need for practical solutions to mitigate the impact of Black Vultures on livestock operations.
Senator Mullin, a rancher himself, emphasized the real-world implications of the legislation. “Oklahoma ranchers deserve the right to protect their livestock from threatening predators. Attacks from Black Vultures are all too common, and our ranchers are suffering the consequences. Removing the requirement for a depredation permit will allow Oklahomans the ability to do what is necessary to protect their livestock and reduce economic hardship.”
“America’s cattlemen work hard to feed our communities and shouldn’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops just to protect their herds,” said Senator Tuberville. “Adjusting these sub-permit requirements that are based on outdated data is just one more commonsense way we can support our cattlemen and help them keep more of their hard-earned dollars. I’ll continue using the feedback from Alabama’s agriculture community to guide my work here in D.C.”
“Black Vultures are a deadly species that have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to ranchers and producers across Missouri. These birds are native to Missouri and have seen their population grow by more than 450 percent since 1990. We must keep this dangerous bird population under control and allow ranchers and producers across our great state the ability to do what they do best—provide the best beef and ag products in the world,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
This legislation has received praise from the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. “It’s been estimated that Black Vultures are accountable for nearly 2.1 million cattle losses each year. These federally protected birds tend to concentrate their attacks on newborn and defenseless calves and can often be seen waiting on nearby fence posts as a cow goes into labor. We’d like to thank Senators Mullin and Tuberville for their leadership on this issue and introducing legislation that will allow ranchers to protect their herd from black vulture predation,” said Justin Tupper, President, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association.
Looking Ahead
The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 represents a crucial step toward empowering livestock producers to defend their newborn animals from predation by the vultures effectively. By striking a balance between the need for wildlife conservation and the practical realities of farming and ranching, this legislation aims to restore autonomy to those on the front lines of agriculture.
This article is brought to you by AGPROfessionals, dedicated to supporting the agricultural community through advocacy, education, and innovation.
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