Minnesota livestock producers can apply for grants to help prevent wolf attacks on their animals, American Ag Network reports. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will award a total of $25,000, provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, through its Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grants.

"Livestock depredation by wolves is a serious threat to farms in Minnesota," said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen, calling the funding a crucial step to help curb the conflict.

The grants reimburse the cost of approved practices that prevent conflicts between wolves and livestock, on an 80:20 cost-share: the grant pays 80% of eligible costs and the producer 20%. Producers must live within Minnesota's wolf range as set by the Department of Natural Resources, or on property the agriculture commissioner finds affected by wolf conflicts. Any species raised for profit that wolves have been documented killing in Minnesota is eligible.

Applications close at 4 p.m. on 18 December, and the work must be finished and expenses reported by 31 October 2027.

Minnesota also compensates farmers for livestock lost to wolves. In 2026 the US Fish and Wildlife Service gave the department an extra $55,000 for those payments, to reach more farmers and add to the state's own compensation fund.

Photo: Derek Bakken / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Source: American Ag Network