| The Legislative Council Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes has concluded. The committee passed one proposal and two documents of findings & conclusions.
This proposal will provide relief and mitigation opportunities for Wisconsin farmers dealing with crop damage. Additionally, this bill will offer hunters the opportunity to hunt sandhill cranes.
We worked hard to find solutions, I want to thank all of the public members for their valuable service on this committee. The major issues associated with sandhill cranes include:
- The crop damage estimate in 2023 for sandhill cranes was $1.6-1.9 million dollars. Wisconsin reimburses farmers for crop damage caused by animals that are part of a hunting season. In order to receive damage reimbursement for lost crops, the animals causing the damage must be part of a hunting season.
- Farmers may apply for crane depredation kill permits. In 2023, over 1400 cranes were killed under those depredation permits, and over the last seven years, more than 8,000 cranes have been killed in Wisconsin under these depredation permits. Under these permits, the crane carcasses must be left in the field, buried or burned- no human consumption is allowed by under those depredation permits.
- Some producers of corn apply Anthraquinone (commonly known under its brand name of Avipel) to their corn seed prior to planting to prevent or mitigate crane damage. This chemical is mostly effective at protecting the corn seed and limiting crop losses.
Proposal passed:
LRB-0815- Assisting agricultural producers by subsidizing seed treatment of corn crops in order to prevent damage caused by sandhill cranes; authorizing the hunting of sandhill cranes; and increasing hunting surcharges that support payments to agricultural producers for crop damage caused by wild animals. |
