MESSAGE FROM 

 THE DIRECTOR 



I hope you find this annual book of statistics about Montana 

 agriculture as invaluable as I have over the years. Infornnation 

 about Montana's crops, the number of acres planted and 

 harvested, irrigation, livestock, national rankings, exports, prices 

 and trends provide a lot of insights into the condition of our 

 number one industry, its past and its future. Montana is more 

 than a leading producer of wheat, barley and beef calves. Our 

 producers are steadily increasing their production of alternative 

 crops such as dry peas, lentils, flax and organics. Montana's 

 diversified agriculture includes honey, sweet cherries, seed 

 potatoes, mint and alfalfa seed. Growers are experimenting with 

 oil seed crops for processing into specialty products and bio-fuels. 

 More women have become the principal operators of farms and 

 ranches in recent years - an increase of 27 percent in the latest 

 Census of Agriculture compared to the 1997 census. 



The numbers contained in this annual report have credibility 

 because they are generated from detailed surveys that our 

 Montana Agricultural Statistics Office conducts with producers 

 from throughout the state. Updates are provided electronically 

 and through news releases provided throughout the year. 



Through careful consideration of our state's strengths and 

 opportunities, Montana agricultural producers are leading the 

 state into an exciting future. 



Sincerely, 



Nancy K. Peterson, Director, Montana Department of Agriculture 



Notes from the 

 Director 



The USDA, MASS, Montana Field Office is pleased to publish the 42"'^ 

 edition of Montana Agricultural Statistics. Montana's agricultural farmers 

 and ranchers were blessed with moisture during 2005 that improved 

 pastures and ranges, hay and grain production and people's general 

 outlook. The agricultural sector continues to exceed two billion dollars 

 and is a vital industry for Montana's economy. Among states, Montana 

 ranks 2"^* in durum wheat production, 2""^ in flaxseed production, 3'"^ in 

 barley production, 3"^ in other spring wheat, and 3"^ in all wheat 

 production. Thank you to Montana's farmers, ranchers, and 

 agribusinesses that made this publication possible through their 

 willingness to provide basic agricultural information. 



The USDA, NASS, Montana Field Office works in cooperation with the 

 Montana Department of Agriculture, the Montana Wheat and Barley 

 Committee, the Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee, Montana State 

 University and many other producers' organizations to provide valuable 

 agricultural information. Thanks to everyone who made this publication 

 possible. 



Peggy Stringer, Director, USDA, NASS, Montana Field Office 



4 Foreword 



Montana Agricultural Statistics 2005 



