The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The name Montana goes very well with agriculture. Growing things is what Montana is all about. Whether it be wonderful winter wheat on the Big Dry, cherries on Flathead Lake, fir and pine harvests in our great forests or barley and durum for the finest pasta and beer in the world, growing is what Montana is all about.

It is certainly what Chouteau County is all about. When you look through this report, you will get an idea of just how much our very livelihood depends on growing many different products. And how much we have diversified. It used to be that going down US 87 all one would see for growing crops would be winter wheat and spring wheat. Now you will see a lot of peas becoming a very viable crop as well as things like mustard whose crops get bought before they are even really out of the ground.

Here is what Ron de Young has to say about Montana and growing crops. He is the director of Montana Department of Agriculture.

"Montana agriculture continues to lead. Through price fluctuation and extreme weather, agriculture is preserving and growing by diversifying, adapting and innovating. I am excited for the year ahead as we continue to develop new technologies and expand production."

"Again, this year, Montana is the leading producer of dry peas and lentils, good rotational crops for wheat. Farmers planted record acres of both of these pulses just in time for the 2016 International year of the Pulse, which could continue to drive demand for these drops. Montana State University has established a Regional Pulse Diagnostic Lab to help producers identify and control pulse diseases and pests."

"Montana still produces the highest quality wheat, sugar beets, barley, beef, seed potatoes, canola and organics among other crops. As an industry we must continue to look for ways to promote and advance agriculture. Finding niche markets and adding value to the products we raise and grow will only bolster agriculture for years to come."

28% of Montana land is cropland. 65.8% of Montana is pasture and range land. Land that is made into farms and ranches.

In 2014 there were 27,800 farms and ranches in Montana. Of those the average size was 2, 147 acres and the average value was just over two million dollars.

In 2014 there were 849 farms in Chouteau County. By comparison there were 854 farms in Hill County.

Most important Montana industries are agriculture, mining, gas and oil, travel and wood and paper products.

Average cash receipts for Montana agriculture products are wheat at 31%, Barley 5%, Dry peas 2%, Hay 8%, other crops 7%, cattle and calves 38%, dairy products 1%, Hogs and pigs 1% and other livestock and products 2%.

In 2015 there were 24 thousand acres planted to winter wheat. There were 28 thousand acres planted to spring wheat and 600 thousand acres planted to durum

In 2014 Chouteau County ranked number one in Montana for winter wheat acreage, yield and production. Hill County was number two.

Chouteau County was eighth in the acreage, yield and production of spring wheat in 2014.

In acreage, yield and production of barley in 2014 Chouteau County ranked sixth.

In oats, Chouteau County was thirty-third in the acreage, yield and production of that crop.

Concerning alfalfa hay acreage, yield and production from 2013 to 2014 Chouteau County was forty-fifth. In other hay Chouteau County for that same period was ranked sixteenth.

In Montana private grazing fees averaged $26.00 per month, per cow-calf unit in 2014.

In 2013 through 2015 Chouteau County ranked twenty-seventh in cattle and calves and beef cows and heifers that have calved inventories.

That same inventory concerning sheep and lambs, Chouteau County ranked thirty-seventh from 2013 to 2015.

Regarding this report, Governor Bullock said, among other things, "We are always working to advance, promote and increase agriculture in Montana. In addition to the Main Street Montana Project, two state-funded research grants were awarded to Montana State University College of Agriculture. These projects are going to look at developing precision agricultural techniques geared towards our state and converting more fallow ground into pulse production."

"We are excited to continue to lead the nation in pulse production, and be a leader in high-quality wheat, barley and beef genetics production among others. Through innovative and adaptive technologies, we can continue to increase yields more efficiently and effectively."

"Thank you to all our farmers and ranchers for all the work they do to provide the world with affordable safe, healthy food, as always, if you have ideas or suggestions for agriculture development or business opportunities, feel free to send me a note on the http://www.governor.mt.gov website or give my office a call at (406) 444-3111."