About $400,000 is available in the 2027 grant cycle of Montana's Livestock Loss Board for measures that prevent predators from killing livestock, such as fencing, carcass composting, guard dogs and range rider programmes, Northern Ag Network reported from a Montana Department of Livestock release. Applications are due by 4 November, and awards will be decided on 9 December.
The board says the application process has recently been streamlined and its reporting requirements simplified. It reimburses confirmed and probable losses to wolves, grizzly bears, black bears and mountain lions, and funds projects that discourage them from killing stock. Verified losses to those predators numbered 225 in 2025; so far in 2026 there have been 152, covering cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, livestock guardian dogs and horses.
Ranchers describe what the measures have done. Denny Iverson, who runs a family ranch near Potomac in the Blackfoot River Valley and sits on the board of the Blackfoot Challenge, said electric fencing went up around calving yards when grizzlies began appearing, and that after wolves arrived local producers started a carcass removal service and a range rider. "It's really helpful to have some tools to utilize to minimize the impact of predators on our livestock," he said.
Wayne Slaght, who ranches near Monture Creek, said range riding, carcass pickup, electric fencing and fladry funded by the board "have absolutely made a difference". "We have ten grizzlies on the ranch, and we have gone 25 years without a grizzly depredation," he said.
Board chairman John Sampsel said a considerable amount of money is available and there are many proven ways to deter predators. Applications are online at www.llb.mt.gov; applicants will be told the date of the December meeting and are encouraged to attend.
Photo: Jeff Walker / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Source: Northern Ag Network
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