Predator-caused livestock losses net thousands in reimbursements in Montana
MISSOULA, Mont. — With 2023 over, NBC Montana dug into preliminary numbers on livestock losses in Montana. We looked into data for last year posted on the state's Department of Livestock website.
The state has reimbursed $211,721.98 to cover the loss of 145 animals so far in 2023.
In 2023, wolves are believed to have been responsible for 26 livestock deaths, mountain lions 33 and grizzly bears 82.
Numbers are down from 2022, with claims still coming in for 2023. According to an end-of-year report, the state paid $241,117.16 to cover the loss of 287 livestock animals in 2022.
The report confirms mountain lions killed 43 livestock animals, with 13 cases listed as probable. Wolves had 39 confirmed and 43 probable kills, and grizzly bears accounted for 114 confirmed livestock deaths, with 35 probable.
When crunching the numbers, we realized the numbers were only part of the picture.
"The coyote loss, I hear about a lot, especially at the livestock conventions, and they'll kill a lot of baby calves in the spring. And a lot of sheep, an awful lot of sheep," executive director of Montana's Livestock Loss Board George Edwards said.
The state doesn't track coyote-caused loss or pay out claims, but the USDA does track coyote losses.
A USDA official told NBC Montana coyotes were responsible for 1,579 livestock deaths in fiscal year 2023, totaling $444,057 in losses.
In fiscal year 2022, coyotes were responsible for 1,128 livestock deaths totaling $326,880 in losses.
The USDA doesn't reimburse ranchers for coyote-caused losses.
Both the USDA and Montana Livestock Board say it's impossible to track every livestock loss, because so many cases go unreported.
Read more about coyote-caused losses from National Agricultural Statistic Services studies:
- Death loss trends in the U.S. Sheep Industry
- Death loss trends in the U.S. Cattle Industry
- National Animal Health Monitoring System studies
Montana claims continue to come in, and numbers are not finalized, but Edwards sent the following data:
