ISLAND, Ky. (RFD-TV) — Last week, the U.S. House passed the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, legislation aimed at delisting gray wolves as an endangered species in the lower 48 states and strengthening protections for cattle producers facing wolf depredation. Garrett Edmonds, director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC), joined us to explain what the bill means for producers and where it goes next.
In his interview with RFD-TV News, Edmonds explained that the bill’s passage in the House represents a significant step for cattle producers, who have long raised concerns about livestock losses linked to growing gray wolf populations. He discussed how the legislation is intended to provide regulatory certainty and restore state-level management authority over gray wolves.
Edmonds also outlined what the Pet and Livestock Protection Act would do if enacted, including formally removing gray wolves in the lower 48 states from the federal endangered species list and limiting judicial review related to that decision. He noted that supporters of the bill believe it would help reduce conflicts between wolves and livestock while maintaining conservation success.
The discussion also focused on the legislative process ahead, with Edmonds explaining that the bill must now advance through the U.S. Senate before it can be sent to President Trump for signature. Finally, he addressed how gray wolf depredation has affected cattle producers this year, describing the ongoing challenges they face in wolf-occupied areas and why the issue remains a top priority for NCBA and PLC as they advocate on behalf of ranchers.
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
December 22, 2025 03:19 PM
·
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
December 22, 2025 02:54 PM
·
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
December 22, 2025 02:45 PM
·
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
December 22, 2025 01:38 PM
·
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
December 22, 2025 01:31 PM
·
Recent USDA export sales data show China has been active in the U.S. market, but analysts tell RFD-TV News that the timing is a key clue.
December 22, 2025 12:45 PM
·
In Minnesota, a legal and legislative battle has reached a tipping point. For over a decade, the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the private deer-farming industry have been locked in a dispute over the management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
December 22, 2025 12:30 PM
·
Tight feeder supplies and lower placements indicate continued support for the cattle market, with regional impacts heightened in Texas by reduced feeder imports.
December 22, 2025 10:10 AM
·
Jeff Johnston with CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange explains the growing role of Rural America in supporting the nation’s digital infrastructure.
December 19, 2025 01:43 PM
·
