Montana's #1 Industry: Agriculture!

Updated: January 14, 2026

Can you guess Montana's #1 industry? Here's a clue: most of the land here is used for farms and ranches! In 2025, Montana had about 57.4 million acres in farms and ranches--that's almost the same size as before--but the number of farms dropped slightly to around 23,800. That means each farm is bigger, with an average size of about 2,412 acres--roughly four square miles of land per farm! (USDA Source)

Why Farming Matters

Farmers grow the food we eat! From your morning cereal to dinner, everything starts on a farm. That's why farming is a full-time, super important job.

What's Inside a Montana Farm?

• Cropland is the part where crops grow--anything from wheat to vegetables.
• The rest can be pasture land (for animals) or used to leave the land fallow (resting).

New 2026 Crop Facts

• Wheat - 5.33 million acres planted, worth over $1 billion.
• Hay - 2.56 million acres, worth about $660 million.
• Lentils - 720,000 acres, worth $227 million.
• Barley - 910,000 acres, worth $217 million.
• Peas - 595,000 acres, worth $110 million.
• Chickpeas - 222,000 acres, worth $68 million.

Other crops include canola, corn, safflower, flaxseed, oats, sugarbeets, mint, dry beans, potatoes, sunflowers, cherries, and pulses like lentils, peas, and chickpeas.

Why Pulses Are Awesome!

Pulses (like peas, lentils, and chickpeas) are getting more popular! They help the soil by adding nitrogen--like a natural fertilizer. Pulses were worth over $373 million in 2023 alone! (Montana Ag Network)

Two Ways to Farm

1. Dry-land farming - No watering, relying on rain and soil moisture.
2. Irrigated farming - Watering crops using sprinklers, ditches, or flooding.

A Farmer's Yearly Checklist

• Pick the right seeds for the soil and weather
• Plow, disc, and harrow the soil
• Add fertilizer
• Plant seeds
• Control weeds and pests
• Irrigate if needed
• Harvest crops

Important Montana Agriculture Fun Facts (2025–26)

Fact	Number
Farms & Ranches	23,800
Land in Farms	57.4 million acres
Average Farm Size	2,412 acres

Learn more from these sources:

• USDA Agriculture Overview for Montana
• Montana Ag Network - Pulse Crops

Next time you bite into a sandwich or enjoy a bowl of cereal, remember: it starts with a Montana farmer making smart choices and lots of hard work!

Updated: January 14, 2026