Livestock Loss Prevention Grant Program

The Montana Livestock Loss Board (LLB), established by the state legislature in 2007, manages the Livestock Loss Prevention Grant Program to assist livestock producers in reducing economic losses caused by predation. The program specifically targets losses attributed to wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, and mountain lions. With a mission to support Montana’s ranching communities, the program both reimburses confirmed predation losses and provides proactive funding for preventative measures to reduce future incidents. This grant program is rooted in the recognition that predation by large carnivores poses a significant financial threat to Montana livestock producers. The program prioritizes prevention efforts targeting wolves and grizzly bears but also includes mitigation against black bears and mountain lions. Grants are awarded through a competitive cost-share model, wherein applicants may request up to 70% of the total project cost, with the remaining 30% required from the applicant through cash or in-kind contributions. Projects must take place in Montana and be designed to protect eligible livestock, including cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine, horses, mules, and llamas. Eligible applicants include individuals or corporations that are actively involved in raising and marketing eligible livestock as a core part of their business. Non-profit organizations and youth agricultural groups, such as FFA or 4-H, may also apply if they are working on behalf of qualifying producers. The application requires documentation such as livestock counts, project plans, and land maps. Projects must be based on prevention practices recognized by LLB, USDA Wildlife Services, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, or similar authorities. These may include fencing, carcass composting, guard dogs, fladry, or range riders. All practices must comply with zoning, conservation easements, and relevant federal, state, or tribal land use laws. Applications are scored based on several factors, including the applicant’s history of depredation incidents, the risk level of the project location, the number of livestock and acreage involved, and the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the proposed measures. The LLB maintains a scoring matrix to ensure objectivity and consistency, but final funding decisions rest solely with the Board. Each award is capped at 10% of the total value of the livestock protected by the project. Applicants are also required to verify per capita fees and animal counts, with special provisions in place for tribal producers. Grantees must submit a detailed report within 12 months of receiving funds, outlining how the funds were used, how the matching contribution was met, and the impact of the prevention measures. Specific metrics may include reduced sightings of predators, fewer livestock losses, and documentation from range riders. Failure to submit this report results in ineligibility for future funding for a three-year period. The application deadline for the 2026 cycle is January 30, 2026. Applications can be submitted via email or mail, and the full application packet—including forms, supplemental documentation, and maps—must be complete for consideration. Contact information, including phone number and email for the Board office in Helena, Montana, is provided in the application packet. This program represents a key component in Montana's broader efforts to sustain its livestock economy while coexisting with the state’s large carnivore populations.

Submit detailed livestock and land info; verify per capita fees; follow approved prevention methods; match must be 30% and properly documented