So much of the wheat and barley industry in Montana is made up of long days on machinery, agronomics, and shipping. The social aspects of wheat and barley production can be grueling on one’s mental health due to isolation, harsh working conditions, and financial uncertainty.
Warm temperatures coupled with varied moisture totals proved challenging for producers, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The wheat stem sawfly lays larvae in the stem of grasses. Loss is seen by overall yield and damage to the stem in the early stages of the development but also the iconic tipping over of stems falling on the ground.
The Farm Fair is to provide a rural ranch atmosphere where students and teachers learn about agriculture in Montana.
Attendees learn about the food supply chain, see first hand how food is prepared for human consumption, and demonstrate the agricultural communities commitment to protecting our natural resources.
For the last few years, virtual trade team events increased significantly. The Montana Wheat and Barley Committee (MWBC) staff found adapting to the virtual setting a critical direction for market development
Now that the 2023 legislative session has wrapped up, here’s a quick recap of several of the new laws and the possible impacts to Montana wheat and barley producers.
Montana certainly ships durum and spring wheat to Duluth for export. Higher crop volumes in 2019 and 2020 warranted more grain headed east. Mainly durum, European purchases can frequently be the destination.
US Wheat Associates, with direct sponsorship from Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska wheat commissions, assembled a group of wheat breeders to visit the top Asian wheat markets to talk to overseas buyers about their end-use quality requirements.
Despite the snow and cold in the Treasure State, wheat breeding programs at Montana State University (MSU) remain hard at work. I was able to join Dr. Jason Cook in Yuma Arizona to see the importance of double cropping in plant breeding and foundation seed.
AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY: The past week brought colder temperatures and snowfall to many areas in the State of Montana, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
According to the National Weather Service Forecast Office, temperatures ranged from 45 degrees to 22 degrees across the State, while there was 0.01 to 2.1 inches of precipitation observed in the State for the week ending April 23, 2023.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3024
300 Park Dr. S., Suite 104
Great Falls, MT 59403-3024
Phone: (406) 761-7732
Fax: (406) 761-7851
Email: wbc@mt.gov
The Montana Wheat & Barley Committee promotes local research and develops trade markets around the world.