The AGRI Livestock Investment Grant encourages long-term industry development for Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers by helping them improve, update, and modernize their livestock operation infrastructure and equipment.
Fiscal Year 2026 grant changes
The Livestock Investment Grant statute (MINN. STAT. 17.118) was amended during the 2025 Minnesota legislative session. The parts of the statute that were updated are:
- Applicant eligibility: To be eligible you must be a resident of the state of Minnesota, a business entity authorized to farm in Minnesota, or a unit of Tribal government.
- Livestock type eligibility: Eligible livestock is now defined as animals raised for the production of fiber, meat, and animal by-products for sale or as breeding stock, including but not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), bison, sheep, horses, aquaculture, and llamas. Other species of livestock may be eligible.
- Reimbursement: The grant will reimburse 50% of the first $20,000 in eligible expenses, then 25% of eligible expenses up to the maximum grant of $25,000.
Applicant eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be the principal operator of a livestock operation in Minnesota that produces and sells at least $1,000 of livestock products annually, or would normally sell at least $1,000 of livestock products in a typical year.
- Be a resident of the state of Minnesota, a business entity authorized to farm in Minnesota, or a unit of Tribal government.
- Hold an appropriate feedlot registration when applicable.
NOTE: For this program, we define "livestock" as animals raised for the production of fiber, meat, and animal by-products for sale or as breeding stock, including but not limited to beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, farmed cervids (deer, elk), ratites (flightless birds including emu), bison, sheep, horses, aquaculture, and llamas. Other species of livestock may be eligible.
Project eligibility
This grant program reimburses investments in:
- Buildings or facilities to produce livestock or livestock products.
- Development of pasture for use by livestock, including but not limited to lanes, watering systems, and fences.
- Equipment for livestock housing, confinement, feeding, and waste management.
Note: All project materials and services must be purchased and paid for after a grant contract agreement has been signed by all parties and has reached its start date. Any expenses incurred prior to that date aren't eligible for reimbursement.
The grant will not pay for livestock, tractors, skid steer loaders, general purpose buildings, pasture or crop land, animal feed, crop seed, planters, combines, or debt refinancing.
Amount available
- We expect to award a total of $1.4 million in FY 2026.
- We will reimburse 50% of the first $20,000 in eligible expenses, then 25% of eligible expenses up to the maximum grant of $25,000. The minimum grant award is $400.
- An individual or farm may only receive one grant in FY 2026.
- Only one grant per project.
Applying
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
- Carefully read the full 2026 Request for Proposals (PDF) for eligibility, requirements, and priorities.
- You can also view the list of past projects or request a copy of an application to help you prepare.
- We encourage you to apply online.
- If you are a new user, you will need to create an account.
- Once you are logged in, select “AGRI Livestock Investment Grant.”
Contact us if you need this information in an alternative format.
