Published May 8, 2020
Apply now for livestock loss prevention grants. The Livestock Loss Board has $80,000 available for wolf only loss prevention projects. Limited money will be available for grizzly bear loss prevention projects. Applications are available at www.llb.mt.gov or by calling the Livestock Loss Board Office. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2020. All projects must be for loss prevention for the following animals: cattle, sheep, horses, mules, goats, swine or llamas. Other animals such as chickens or bison are not eligible for our loss prevention grant funds. Also agricultural crop damage prevention is not covered.
There is a 50-50 match requirement for all grants. This can be in the form of cash, in-kind work or a combination of both. None of the required match can include anything you are already receiving from federal sources. The grant period for wolf only projects is from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The grizzly bear loss prevention funding is from state sources. The grant period for these grants are one year from when they are approved by the board.
The board will not know how much money is available for grizzly loss prevention grants until mid-July. Board members will be holding a board meeting either in July or early August to award these grants. Use separate grant forms for wolf and grizzly related projects. They will be reviewed separately as each type of grant has a different funding source.
Up to ten percent of the total applied for may include administrative costs. Keep in mind that if an excessive value is listed for these costs, the board may reject your administrative costs for matching values. Please be reasonable if listing these values. The same thing would apply to values for in-kind values for labor, materials, and/or equipment time on projects. Be specific in all aspects in your description of the grant. For example, the number of estimated hours and wages for range riders, type and number of livestock covered or fencing materials. If applying for a grant to purchase a guard dog and/or dog food, include the receipts if already purchased in 2020. Any part of a project occurring before January 1, 2020 is not eligible for grant funding.
All projects must be for loss prevention due to wolves, grizzly bears or mountain lions. Loss prevention grants are not available for other predators such as coyotes, fox, eagles, etc…
Please feel direct questions to George Edwards, Livestock Loss Board, Executive Director: gedwards@mt.gov or 406-444-5609.