Public Notice:
On April 4, 2022, the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee voted in unanimous support to increase the assessment rate for all wheat and barley crops produced in Montana. The proposed increase will raise the assessment from 2 to 2 ½ cents per bushel for wheat and from 3 to 3 ½ cents per hundredweight for barley.
Current assessment rates have remained unchanged since 2009. In 2019, the Montana Legislature passed HB151 to increase the maximum annual assessment on wheat and barley to statutory thresholds of not more than 4 cents per bushel of wheat and 6 cents per hundredweight of barley.
Following Governor’s office administrative rule review, the MWBC board of directors officially adopted the proposed assessment increase on September 13, 2022. The new rate is set to become effective on January 6, 2023 and is anticipated to generate approximately $1M additional support for marketing programs and research efforts at Montana State University.
To provide official comment, members of the public may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing to Cort Jensen, Montana Department of Agriculture, PO Box 200201, Helena, Montana, 59620; telephone (406) 444-5402; fax (406) 444-5409; or email cojensen@mt.gov until November 4, 2022 or appear in person October 27, 2022, at 11:00 am in Room 225 of the Scott Hart Building, at 302 N Roberts St in Helena, MT.
The MWBC board and staff is also available for comment or questions.