Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conferences
Date of this Version
10-18-1987
Abstract
We estimate the annual financial losses resulting from wildlife damage to major crops and livestock in Nebraska. For each wildlife species, the damage problem is presented along with a description of how the estimate was made. Field crop estimates include losses from Plains pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius), commensal rodents (Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus), field rodents in grain fields (e.g. Peromyscus maniculatus, Dipodomys ordi, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), house sparrows (Passer domesticus), blackbirds (e.g. Agelaius phoeniceus and Quiscalus quiscula), lagomorphs (Sylvilaqus floridanus, Lepus californicus, and L. townsendii), deer (Odocoileus virainianus and Q. hemionus)> voles (Microtus spp.), and beaver (Castor canadensis). Livestock estimates include losses from commensal rodents, coyotes (Canis latrans). European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), and house sparrows. Estimated values of the crop and livestock resources damaged total approximately $37 million annually. Further study is needed to refine such estimates, as well as to assess the positive benefits of various wild vertebrates.