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USDA tells Sioux County there is no new federal predator-control funding; local leaders and senators urge continued support
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Summary
At a June 1 meeting USDA Assistant Regional Director John Steuber told community members and commissioners there was no new federal funding for predator control; discussion included potential privatization and calls from local leaders, including state senators, to pursue additional funding and maintain services.
On June 1, 2022, USDA Assistant Regional Director John Steuber met with Sioux County commissioners and a large assembly of community members to discuss the status of the USDA predator control program. Steuber said there was no new USDA funding targeted to expand predator control; most available federal resources were currently focused on feral swine control.
Steuber explained that existing resources were being used for pig control and that counties occasionally need to increase their portion of costs; he said USDA could proceed with hiring if agreements were signed but that no immediate pilot program existed for the county. County Attorney Adam Edmund and residents pressed for continuity of services whether delivered by USDA or through privatization. Steuber said USDA would move forward with hiring if possible.
Multiple local leaders and elected officials addressed the board during the discussion, including Senator Steve Erdman and Senator Tom Brewer, who said they would continue to work on legislative funding. Community members urged broader state and agency contributions (game and parks, department of agriculture) and recommended attending the governor—s public event to press for funding.
The minutes list public commenters by name (Richard Edwards, Gale Henry, Vic Rivera, Senator Steve Erdman, Senator Tom Brewer, Tim Brewer, Don Freyda, Matt Anderson, Dave Paris, Craig Hoffman, Allen Jordan and Bob Burford). The board scheduled a review of the USDA service contract at the June 21 commissioners meeting.
Why this matters: Predator-control services affect ranchers and rural residents who report livestock losses and rely on coordinated response and funding. A gap in federal funding shifts financial and operational burdens to counties, raising questions about program continuity and whether services will be privatized or sustained by alternative funding.
Next steps: The USDA contract and funding model were to be reviewed at the June 21 meeting; local officials indicated they would continue pursuing state and federal support.