Farmers and ranchers oftentimes resort to poisoning or shooting animals they classify as varmints that threaten their crops or livestock. Unless the varmint population has increased from consuming crops or livestock, they are integral to a balanced ecosystem. Therefore, killing varmints that don't rely on crops or livestock creates ecosystem imbalance. Ranchers are allowed to roam their livestock, and of course predators prey on the livestock. Ranchers are allowed to kill predators that threaten their livestock and kill burrowing animals whose holes may injure the legs of livestock when they step in the holes.
Do permaculture farming and livestock rearing methods reduce or eliminate damage to crops or livestock from wild mammals? Thank for any replies.
