Missouri
A warning for southwest Missouri cattle farmers: watch for black vultures
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Black vultures are ruffling the feathers of cattle farmers across south and central Missouri.
Farmers in the Ozarks say the vultures are killing newborn calves and other small cattle. Brian Nimmo has had this farm in his family for more than 100 years. He says it’s more than his livelihood.
“I’m speaking for all producers about you take this personally because you’ve raised these,” said Nimmo. “Like all these heifers were home-raised, they go back to my grandparents, and I got my first cow in 1982. And some of that lineage goes back to them.”
One day Brian noticed one of his cows crying out for its baby. He found that it had been ripped apart by black vultures.
“The calf was still alive, we’re able to bring it home, we had to euthanize it,” said Nimmo. “So that cows lost her production for the year. So at that point, you either keep her on and carry her through, even though she’s not producing and or seller, and take your hit that way.”
Nimmo and cattle producers around the areas of south and central Missouri are taking steps to scare off the birds to protect their calves, the experts at the USDA say you’ll want to take as many of those steps as you possibly can.
“You know, having early calving season is one time having a herd mentality during calving,” said Dan McMurtry, district supervisor for USDA Wildlife Services. “Another thing, pull your bull have short calving season, harass them with pyrotechnics. So we have products called pyrotechnics.”
After his calf was killed he was reimbursed up to $200 for the vet bills and necropsy and has the cows much closer to the home. It’s important to note that farmers *must take their animal to the vet — within 24 hours to get that re-imbursement. The money is capped at 200 dollars for each positive result for the test showing the animal’s death was caused by a black vulture.
He says he’ll monitor dead trees on his property, monitor any newborn calves closely and move the herd closer to the man-made structures taking the threat very seriously.
“If you just be proactive as much as you can be, you know, you monitor your herd and monitor the flight pattern of the birds see where they’re staying at,” said Nimmo. The one that we had it hit about eight o’clock in the morning, we got there at 10. So we were just about two hours behind it, but you can always be there.
According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, some ways to help keep the birds off your farm are:
- Pen birthing livestock near human activity to enable closer observation and a quicker response to problem situations, or keep expectant animals in pastures nearest to people.
- Condense birthing time frame, so animals can be monitored closely.
- Place black vulture effigies (replicas) around calving areas to scare away live vultures. Hang them by their feet and suspend in the air, so they can be seen from a distance.
- Harass and scare black vultures away from your herds or flocks. Examples: create loud noises (horns, starter pistols, shell crackers, propane cannons), spray water, and point lasers at the roost.
- Use a guard dog to frighten and chase away black vultures.
“Black vultures are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This means the birds, their nests and eggs cannot be killed or destroyed unless a permit is obtained from the Missouri Farm Bureau. Permits are free and producers can obtain up to 10 annually. Apply for a permit by contacting Julie Waldrop at Julie.Waldrop@mofb.org or (573) 893-1417. Find further permit information at mofb.org.” said the Department of Agriculture on its website.
For more information on how farmers can fight back check out the Dept. of Agriculture’s page on black vultures. Also, the University of Missouri’s extension office information can be accessed here.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com
Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 18, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 18 drawing
24-25-39-46-61, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 5
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 18 drawing
Midday: 5-8-2
Midday Wild: 3
Evening: 3-8-5
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 18 drawing
Midday: 0-1-6-1
Midday Wild: 2
Evening: 4-7-6-9
Evening Wild: 5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 18 drawing
Early Bird: 08
Morning: 01
Matinee: 05
Prime Time: 04
Night Owl: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from April 18 drawing
07-10-21-27-33
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 18 drawing
02-38-45-53-63, Powerball: 21
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 17, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 17 drawing
38-43-44-49-62, Mega Ball: 08
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 17 drawing
Midday: 4-8-6
Midday Wild: 2
Evening: 8-8-2
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 17 drawing
Midday: 3-9-4-2
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 7-3-7-7
Evening Wild: 7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 17 drawing
Early Bird: 07
Morning: 06
Matinee: 08
Prime Time: 05
Night Owl: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from April 17 drawing
04-06-25-37-39
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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