Surprise effects of wolves in Yellowstone

The real issue for ranchers is not kills, it is the fact that wolves can cause cattle to move. When cattle are moving, they are not eating and are instead losing weight. If a steer gains two fewer pounds a week and there are 500 steers in the herd, that is 1000 lbs not gained in that week. With cattle selling for around $1.45/lb that would mean the rancher is losing close to $1500 a week. Adds up pretty quickly.