Grant money available to protect Minnesota livestock from wolves

(KNOX) – Applications are due January 3 to protect Minnesota livestock from wolf attacks.
A total of $45,000 will be awarded by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture through Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grants.
Only costs incurred after entering into a grant agreement with the MDA are eligible for reimbursement. Eligible expenses for the grant program will include:
• Purchase of guard animals;
• Veterinary costs for guard animals;
• Wolf-barriers which may include pens;
• Fencing;
• Wolf-deterring lights and alarms; and
• Calving or lambing shelters

Eligible producers must live within Minnesota’s wolf range, as designated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, or on property determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture to be affected by wolf-livestock conflicts.

Any animal species produced for profit and documented to have been killed by wolves in Minnesota in the past is eligible. This includes bison, cattle, chicken, deer, donkey, duck, geese, goat, horse, llama, mule, sheep, swine, and turkey.

The funding also requires an 80:20 matching cost-share, meaning 80% of eligible project costs will be reimbursed by the grant and the remaining 20% will be paid for by the grantee.
The application and more information can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/wolfgrants.