On Feb. 26, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) finalized removal of protections for the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), putting into effect a ruling made in a U.S. district court in Texas in August 2025.

The interests of waterfowl and cattle have a shocking number of similarities. What is good for the ducks is often good for the cattle and vice versa.

On July 27, Missouri cattle producer Charlie Besher testified before the House Natural Resources Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee in support of the Black Vulture Relief Act, sharing how predatory black vultures take a toll on cattle producers’ livestock and livelihoods.