HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Livestock Loss Board, an attached agency of the Montana Department of Livestock, is awarding $216,335 to 13 projects that intend to proactively implement measures that decrease the risk of wolf, grizzly bear, black bear, and mountain lion predation on livestock.
The Montana Livestock Loss Board was established by the legislature in 2007 to address economic losses due to wolf predation and to create incentives for producers to take proactive, preventative steps to decrease the risk of loss.
The current purpose of the Montana Livestock Loss Program is to acknowledge the importance of economic viability and sustainability for livestock operators who are negatively affected by wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, or mountain lions. Specifically, the purpose of the loss reduction and mitigation programs are:
- To provide financial reimbursements to producers for losses caused by wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, or mountain lions based on program criteria.
- To proactively apply prevention tools and incentives to decrease the risk of wolf, grizzly bear or mountain lion caused losses.
The Livestock Loss Prevention Grant program offers funding 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. Applicants applying for grants are required to 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.
2025 Livestock Prevention Grant Award Recipients
Centennial Valley Association– Dell
$10,000 grant to provide for two seasonal range riders to protect 1,525 grazing livestock.
Bill Martinell – Dell
$861 grant to support the use of guard dogs to protect 875 head of livestock.
Pipestone Grazing Association – Whitehall
$16,000 grant to provide a range rider to protect 864 head of grazing livestock.
Bradley Ranch – Valier
$19,000 grant to provide for a range rider to protect grazing livestock.
Blackfeet Nation Stockgrowers Association – Browning
$30,800 grant to provide for two range riders to protect 780 head of grazing livestock over two seasons.
Blackfoot Challenge – Ovando
$75,000 in total grants to support three separate projects. $32,000 will be dedicated to the operation of a carcass composting facility to remove dead livestock from area ranches and reduce predator conflict. $32,000 will be used to provide for 3-4 range riders to protect 5,500 head of grazing livestock. The remaining $11,000 will be used to procure and construct bear exclusion fencing to prevent conflict between grizzly bears and livestock.
Ruby Valley Conservation District – Sheridan
$35,000 grant will be dedicated to the operation of a carcass composting facility to remove dead livestock from area ranches and reduce predator conflict.
Big Hole Watershed Committee – Divide
$8,500 in total grants to support two separate projects. $6,500 will be used to provide a range rider to protect 2,080 head of grazing livestock. The remaining $2,000 will be used to operate a carcass composting facility to remove dead livestock from area ranches and reduce predator conflict
Rebish/Konen Livestock – Dillon
$18,760 grant to provide for three guard dogs and necessary support to protect 2,850 head of grazing livestock.
Montana Sheep Company, LLC– Fort Shaw
$2,415 grant to provide support for guard dogs to protect grazing livestock.
For more information on the Montana Livestock Loss Board programs and services, visit https://liv.mt.gov/Attached-Agency-Boards/Livestock-Loss-Board/index.
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Montana Department of Livestock
