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Cattle Farmers Fight Northward Spread of Deadly Black Vultures
31 Oct
Summary
- Black vultures, once rare in the region, now frequently attack newborn calves
- Farmers erect scarecrows of dead vultures to scare off the scavengers
- Lobbying underway to allow more culling of the protected but expanding species
As of October 31st, 2025, cattle farmers in Kentucky and Ohio are grappling with an escalating threat from black vultures, a scavenging bird species that has been expanding its range northward in recent years.
The black vultures, once rarely seen in the region, are now frequently spotted following the birth of calves, and have been known to attack and kill the vulnerable newborns. Farmer Allan Bryant, who oversees a herd in Eminence, Kentucky, has taken measures to deter the birds, including erecting scarecrows made from dead black vultures to scare off the live ones. However, the deterrents only work for about a week before the vultures return.
Lobbying efforts are underway to allow farmers to cull more of the protected birds, which are not endangered but are covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Experts say the vultures' northward spread is likely fueled by climate change, as warmer winters make it easier for them to thrive in areas that were previously too cold. Additionally, the growing human footprint in suburban and rural areas provides the birds with more food sources, such as roadkill.
While farmers have not lost any calves to the vultures in the past few years, the threat remains ever-present, and the potential for devastating losses looms large. As one Ohio cattle farmer, Tom Karr, put it, the black vultures "just basically eat them alive" - a grisly prospect that has many in the industry seeking solutions to protect their livestock.
