Montana MLLB awards funds to decrease predation

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Livestock Loss Board, an attached agency of the Montana Department of Livestock, is awarding $58,429 in grant funds to eight Montana livestock producers for projects intended to decrease the risk of wolf, grizzly bear, black bear and mountain lion predation on livestock. This is in addition to $121,313 that was awarded in February 2026. In total, 2026 grants will help mitigate depredations on over 24,000 head of livestock through the use of livestock guard dogs, range riding, fencing, carcass removal and composting, thermal predator identification and GPS ear tag technology. 

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. Currently, the Livestock Loss Board serves two primary functions:

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, black 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. 

Applications for the next grant award cycle are due Nov. 4, 2026.  

2026 Livestock Prevention Grant Award Recipients 

Baldy Mountain Ranch Inc. – Lincoln

$3,095 grant to support the use of guard dogs to protect goats. 

Hahn Ranch – Townsend

$5,268 grant to provide range riding to protect cattle.

Jess Leach – Ledger

$1,623 grant to support the use of guard dogs to protect sheep, cattle and horses.

Milligan Canyon Ranch – Willow Creek

$20,499 grant to support range riding in conjunction with GPS ear tags and drone service to protect cattle. 

Luke Peebles – Choteau

$1,537 grant to fund electric fencing to protect sheep. 

Ruby Valley Conservation District – Sheridan

$9,000 grant to replace a dump trailer for a carcass composting facility that removes dead livestock from area ranches to reduce predator conflicts.

Valley Creek Stock Association – Arlee

$15,000 grant to support range riding to protect cattle. 

Robert Yates – Fishtail

$2,408 grant to support the use of guard dogs to protect sheep. 

For more information on the Montana Livestock Loss Board programs and services, visit www.llb.mt.gov.

For more information on the Montana Department of Livestock programs and services please visit https://liv.mt.gov/index.