New Grants from Montana Livestock Board to Prevent Losses

Ranching in Montana Certainly Isn't for the Weak - Both Mental and Physical

Ranchers in Montana face an everchanging set of challenges every day of the week, all year long.  Weather and machinery can lead to unforeseen problems that can set time and pocketbook back days, months or even years.

via GIPHY

But for most, those are just a way of life.  "Doodoo happens" (hey, I'm trying to keep this family friendly!) is a mantra that is recited multiple times a day.  Except when it comes to livestock.  The loss of those animals is immense and immediate, especially by predators in the wild.

Get our free mobile app

Montana Livestock Board Helps Producers to Prevent Future Losses

The Montana Livestock Loss Board, a division of the Montana Department of Livestock, was established in 2007 to help ranchers combat livestock deprivation.  In short, the division understands "the importance of economic viability and sustainability for livestock operators who are negatively affected by wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, or mountain lions".

READ MORE:  Great Falls to Offer New Summer Hockey Opportunity

The board is designed to "to create incentives for producers to take proactive, preventative steps to decrease the risk of loss" and has two specific purposes:

1. To provide financial reimbursements to producers for losses caused by wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, or mountain lions based on program criteria.
2. To proactively apply prevention tools and incentives to decrease the risk of wolf, grizzly bear or mountain lion caused losses.

Livestock Loss Prevention Program - How Grants Benefit in Montana

For 2026, the board has awarded 9 grants for the year totaling $121,313 in various areas across the state.  Those projects are to "proactively implement measures that decrease the risk of wolf, grizzly bear, black bear, and mountain lion predation on livestock" according to the agency.

The program funding in Montana is "in the form of a grant to cost share programs and activities that are based in scientifically proven strategies for mitigating and deterring livestock depredation".

via GIPHY

Applicants for the program must also "provide 30% of the funds required to complete the project, and if awarded, required to provide follow-up reports on the success of their efforts".  You can learn more about the program and the 2026 recipients of grants here.