Ranching for Rivers applications opening in January

Press release

The Montana Association of Conservation Districts is funding the Ranching for Rivers program for projects between Spring of 2023 and Fall of 2024, providing a 50% cost share on waterside projects involving the installation of new fencing. 

In the Hill County region, projects on the Milk River, Beaver Creek, Little Box Elder Creek and Big Sandy Creek are most likely to qualify, but the Hill County Conservation District can help people check the eligibility of other creeks in the county. 

The program is aimed to provide alternative water to cattle, fencing them out of existing creeks and rivers and replacing that access with stock tanks and cattle crossings. Cattle have been shown to have a preference for tanks over muddy banks, and well-managed stock tanks can have a positive impact on weight gain over the season. Additionally, fencing out waterside areas encourages plant growth to prevent bank erosion and improve water quality, capturing sediment and excess nutrients from upstream. 

The Ranching for Rivers program covers 50% of the cost of fencing materials, all the materials involved with stock tank installation — tank, piping, pump, etc. — and with implementing a cattle crossing where needed. Cost shares are not provided for labor or maintenance and replacement costs. Unfortunately, sites with pre-existing waterside fencing are not eligible for this program. 

Producers leasing land along waterways are not excluded from this program, but may require extra documentation on their application. 

The Hill County Conservation District will start taking applications for this program starting in early January. First round of applications closes Jan. 30, and second round will be on a rolling basis in the following months. For more information or for any questions in the interim, people can send an email to [email protected].