A number of states have seen an increase in black vulture populations over time, which can pose significant threats to livestock.
Producers in Illinois are now able to apply for depredation permits in an effort to better protect their animals.
Tasha Bunting with the Illinois Farm Bureau spoke with RFD-TV’s Suzanne Alexander about the danger posed by the animal, the influx in the state, and what producers need to keep in mind.
Related Stories
Payment totals alone do not show financial stress — production costs and net losses complete the picture.
Year-round E15 remains on the table, but procedural caution and competing regional interests pushed action into a slower, negotiated path.
A mid-January winter storm delivered snow, ice, and extreme cold to a broad swath of the U.S., disrupting transportation, stressing livestock systems, and adding cost and complexity to winter farm operations as producers look toward spring.
Heavier weights and strong late-year slaughter supported December production, but lower annual totals highlight ongoing supply tightness heading into 2026.
Junior Livestock Champions Grand Champion Market Steer, topping out at $320,000