Barley and Oats

Updated: January 14, 2026

What Are Cereal Grains?

Cereal grains like barley and oats belong to a group called cereal grains—alongside wheat, rice, and corn. People have relied on these grains for thousands of years. They are easy to grow, nutritious, and were key to the development of early farming communities.

Barley in Montana

• Planting & Harvesting: Barley is planted in spring and harvested in fall. In 2024, Montana planted 910,000 acres of barley and harvested 720,000 acres, producing 36.72 million bushels. Each acre produced an average of 51 bushels. (https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Montana/USDA/NASS Montana Overview)
• Uses: Most of Montana's barley is used as animal feed, for malting in beer, and for making malted foods. A smaller portion is milled into barley flour, used in breads, soups, and salads. High-quality barley grown in areas like Teton County and Fairfield is used by big breweries such as Anheuser‑Busch.
• Montana led the U.S. in barley acreage in 2024, with nearly 38% of the nation's barley planted there. The total value of Montana's barley crop was about $217 million.

Oats in Montana

• Planting & Harvesting: Oats are also planted in spring and harvested in late summer. In 2024, Montana produced 891,000 bushels of oats from 27,000 harvested acres, with an average yield of 33 bushels per acre. (https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Montana/USDA/NASS Montana Overview)
• Uses: Most oats are used as livestock feed (especially for horses). Some oats are used for human food like oatmeal, granola bars, cookies, and breakfast cereals. Oats are naturally gluten-free, so they are good for people who can't eat gluten.
• Oat Production in the U.S.: The United States produced about 38.7 million bushels of oats in 2024.

Why Barley and Oats Are Important

Both barley and oats are full of fiber, protein, and essential vitamins. Oats are a favorite for heart-healthy diets because they don't contain gluten. They grow well in Montana's cool and high-altitude climate. Barley grows in almost all counties in Montana, while oats are most valuable for local farms and livestock feed.

Quick Comparison

Updated: January 14, 2026