Only 7% of Montana Cropland Is Irrigated—But It Generates $737 Million and More Than a Quarter of Crop Value
Mar 9, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Only 7% of Montana Cropland Is Irrigated—But It Generates $737 Million and More Than a Quarter of Crop Value
Montana State University’s Nick Hagerty analyzed the 2022 Census of Agriculture and found a striking imbalance: irrigated acres make up just 7% of Montana cropland, yet they produce more than a quarter of the state’s crop value—about $737 million. Here’s what the data shows about yields, crop mix, and why irrigation punches far above its weight in Big Sky agriculture.