Rep. Knudsen Highlights New Funding to Help Minnesota Livestock Producers Prevent Wolf Attacks

St. Paul, MN — Rep. Knudsen is highlighting new funding available to Minnesota livestock producers to help prevent wolf attacks and protect their livestock.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will distribute $25,000 in federal funding through its Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grant program. Eligible producers can receive reimbursement for 80% of approved costs, including guard animals and veterinary care, fencing and other barriers, wolf-deterring lights and alarms, and calving or lambing shelters.

“Wolf depredation can have a real and significant impact on Minnesota livestock producers, particularly when a farmer loses valuable animals that represent years of work,” said Rep. Knudsen. “These grants provide producers with another tool to protect their livestock and reduce conflicts with wolves. I encourage eligible producers to take advantage of this funding.”

To qualify, producers must be located within Minnesota’s wolf range or have property determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture to be affected by wolf-livestock conflicts. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on December 18, 2026.

The new prevention funding comes in addition to $55,000 in federal funding provided to MDA in 2026 to compensate farmers for previously documented livestock losses caused by wolf depredation.

“Supporting our farmers means recognizing the challenges they face and making sure they have the resources to protect their livelihoods,” Knudsen said. “I will continue working to ensure Minnesota’s livestock producers have a voice at the Capitol.”