MESSAGE FROM 

 THE DIRECTOR 



Measured in cash receipts, Montana's agricultural economy has done well 

 the past three years. Higher prices for beef, and more recently for wheat 

 and barley, have raised farm and ranch incomes, although higher 

 production costs have cut into profits. Weather patterns have not treated 

 all counties of the state equally, and climate experts say the future may 

 hold continued challenges. 



The variability of crop production is one reason the Montana Department of 

 Agriculture contributes to the annual collection and printing of county 

 agricultural statistics. Data contained in this book and published online are 

 essential for informing Congress and federal agencies about the 

 effectiveness of farm programs and the need for producer assistance. 

 When farmers and ranchers decide how to change practices, it is also 

 useful to look at historical trends in production, prices and other regional 

 factors. 



Numbers in this report are generated from detailed surveys of producers 

 statewide. Updates are provided electronically and through news releases, 

 available from the website: http://www.nass.usda.gov/mt. My thanks to 

 producers who take time from their busy schedules to answer the survey 

 questions upon which these reports rely. 



Sincerely, 



^y> 



Ron de Yong, Director, Montana Department of Agriculture 



Notes from the 

 Director 



The USDA, NASS, Montana Field OfHce is pleased to publish the 44th 

 edition of Montana Agricultural Statistics. 2007 will prove to be a good year 

 for Montana's agricultural sector, with wheat prices hitting record highs and 

 new opportunities to expand markets by producing bio-based fuels. 

 Agriculture continues to be a vital industry for the state's economy. 



At the end of 2007, we will be conducting the Census of Agriculture! Not 

 only does the Census give the farmers and ranchers of Montana the chance 

 to be heard, but it gives them the valuable opportunity to influence key 

 decisions that will shape the direction of American agriculture in general, 

 and our community in particular, for years to come. When the Census form 

 hits your mailbox, do your part for Montana's agricultural sector and fill it 

 out and return it. 



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

 agribusinesses that made this publication possible through their willingness 

 to supply basic agricultural information. 



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



4 Foreword 



Montana Agricultural Statistics 2007 



