What is the main reason for depredation in livestock?

The main reason for depredation in livestock is indeed predators. Predators, such as coyotes, wolves, bears, and birds of prey, pose a significant threat to livestock, particularly in rural and open grazing areas. These animals hunt for food, and livestock can become easy targets due to their size and less evasive behavior compared to wild animals.

While weather conditions, diseases, and farming practices can all impact livestock health and productivity, they do not directly lead to depredation. Weather might affect the overall well-being of the animals or their environment, but it does not result in them being predated upon. Similarly, diseases can cause stress and mortality but are not a cause of predation. Farming practices can influence the safety and security of livestock, but if proper measures are not taken to protect livestock from predators, they remain vulnerable to being attacked. Thus, the presence of predators is the most direct and significant cause of depredation in livestock.