Research
Research Investment Statement:
We directly fund scientific research that improves quality, production, and best farm practices.
CY26 Grant & Sponsorship Submissions
Access complete submission information and proceed with the application process by visiting our
grants & sponsorships page.
Q3 Sponsorship submissions for CY26 are open June 1-15.
MARCH MADNESS
Winners Announced!
The third annual grad student competition in “Shark Tank”-like style showcased 26 contestants. Read all about it here.
VARIETIES
Variety Reports
Variety guides for winter wheat and spring wheat, along with the most recent barley variety report, are located in the following list.
We’ve also added the 2025 NASS Variety Survey for wheat and for barley.
Click any file to open the PDF.
The Variety Guides provide summaries of all winter or spring wheat varieties planted in Montana. Analysis conducted by Montana State University’s Cereal Quality Lab focused on the merits of WQL scoring, an efficient and consistent national tabulation to evaluate the US wheat crop. Buyers can be guaranteed that the same scoring that exists in Montana will be similar from Washington to Kansas to Ohio.
From this scoring test, Montana-planted varieties are then ranked from exceptional quality to acceptable standards to less preferred. Growers can utilize this system to help determine the best varieties to plant during the selection process.
The Montana Barley Variety Report is conducted by Montana State University’s barley breeders annually. The report highlights top malting, forage and feed varieties grown in Montana.
The annual NASS Variety Surveys are collected from grower responses on varieties planted plus additional questions of interest by MWBC.
Survey data collected from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and funded by the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee make these reports possible.
RESEARCH PRIORITIES
CY25: $1.931M invested
Since 1967, MWBC has made research a priority. The Committee invests approximately 50 percent of total producer checkoff dollars in varietal development and best practice. Most of these dollars are spent with Montana State University-Bozeman (MSU). Montana’s Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) has seven off-campus research centers throughout the state. These centers are located in targeted areas to relate directly to agriculture producers where they can address diverse challenges in Montana’s vast agri-ecosystems.
MWBC encourages growers to connect regularly with your local MAES. Your input is highly sought relative to the multitude of research projects conducted by MSU that will impact Montana’s grain industry.
Learn more additional information related to MAES.
INVESTMENT MISSION
Research:
We directly fund scientific research that improves quality, production and best farm practices.
Market Development:
We establish and cultivate trade relationships as well as explore new markets. We present relevant information to more than 1,000 potential buyers each year.
Education:
We support organizations that further the overall knowledge of Montana agriculture.
Operations:
We employ five staff members dedicated to pursuing our goal and carrying out our mission.
Sawfly Solutions
In Montana’s quest for a solution to the Wheat Stem Sawfly, Montana Wheat & Barley Committee has produced a video tuned for the national research community. Here’s a teaser: