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2017 Drought Means Higher Wheat Prices For Montana Farmers

Montana Farmers Contend With Wheat Surplus, Low Prices
(PD)
Montana Farmers Contend With Wheat Surplus, Low Prices

Montana farmers can expect strong prices for their wheat and barley moving forward following the drought in 2017 that reduced grain production in the state by about 40 percent.

Steady and slightly higher prices in wheat, barley and pulse crops markets are expected over the next five years, according to a forecast from Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana.

Researchers presented the report in Helena, Tuesday.

The report also noted that Montana is the number one organic producer of wheat, lentils, peas and beans in the United States.

Montana makes up 27 percent of U.S. organic wheat sales and more than half of U.S.organic  pulse crop sales.

A slight uptick in crop prices last year helped prevent further harm to farmers and ranchers when production was down during the 2017 drought.

Copyright 2020 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Corin Cates-Carney is the Flathead Valley reporter for MTPR.