By Blake Jackson
The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association (WCA) is pleased to announce that WCA member Bob Mitchell has been appointed to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wolf Advisory Committee.
This appointment highlights the state’s acknowledgment of the vital contributions livestock producers make in developing effective, science-driven wolf management strategies.
Bob Mitchell, a seasoned beef producer from Crawford County, will serve as a representative for agricultural and ranching perspectives on the committee.
Mitchell runs Spring Creek Cattle Company near Boscobel with his family, managing a purebred seedstock operation and grazing pastures across several counties in southwestern Wisconsin.
As a fourth-generation cattleman, Mitchell brings decades of agricultural expertise and firsthand insight into the challenges posed by wolf-livestock conflicts.
“I have spent significant time speaking with farmers across Wisconsin who face the challenges of managing wolf conflicts while trying to preserve their way of life,” Mitchell said.
“I look forward to bringing a cattlemen’s perspective to the discussion, as well as representing the interests of other livestock producers and rural communities. I realize this is a sensitive issue and look forward to the challenge of finding common ground with the various stakeholders.”
Mitchell also believes that it is possible to balance the needs of farmers with conservation goals. “Wisconsin can sustain a healthy wolf population while also supporting farmers who need help managing and mitigating conflicts,” he added.
The DNR Wolf Advisory Committee, formed to support the 2023 Wolf Management Plan, brings together a diverse range of stakeholders including representatives from agriculture, conservation, tribal governments, and wildlife organizations.
Though the committee is advisory, it plays a key role in guiding the state’s approach to harmonizing ecological, legal, and human concerns. Mitchell is one of two members appointed to represent the agricultural sector.
"Wisconsin beef producers have long needed a voice at the table when it comes to wolf management,” WCA President Tressa Lacy said. “Bob’s appointment ensures that the economic and emotional toll of wolf predation on livestock will be part of these critical discussions."
Photo Credit: gettyimages-artiemedvedev
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock