Here’s a number that might surprise you: while only 7 percent of Montana’s cropland gets irrigated, those water-fed acres generate more than a quarter of the state’s total crop value. We’re talking about $737 million worth of agricultural production flowing from Montana’s irrigated fields.

Key Takeaways

• Just 7% of Montana cropland is irrigated, yet it produces more than a quarter of total crop value.
• Irrigated hay is a major driver: about 36% of hay acres produce 56% of total hay tonnage.
• Irrigated alfalfa averages 2.8 tons per acre versus about 1 ton per acre for dryland hay.
• Hay (alfalfa and other hay) accounts for roughly $567 million—more than three-quarters of irrigated crop value.
• Irrigation enables crops that typically need reliable water (such as sugar beets) and can allow multiple hay cuttings per season.

Montana State University Assistant Professor Nick Hagerty crunched the numbers from the 2022 Census of Agriculture, and what he found shows just how much of a difference water makes in Big Sky Country farming operations.

Why Irrigation Delivers Such Outsized Results

The math is pretty straightforward when you break it down. Irrigated ground doesn’t just produce more—it produces way more.

Take hay production, for example. While irrigated fields make up only about 36 percent of Montana’s hay acreage, they’re cranking out 56 percent of the state’s total hay tonnage.

The yield difference is dramatic. Irrigated alfalfa fields average 2.8 tons per acre, while dryland hay operations typically see around 1 ton per acre. That’s nearly triple the production from the same amount of ground.

But it’s not just about bigger yields. Irrigation opens doors to crops that simply won’t work without reliable water, like sugar beets. It also lets producers squeeze multiple hay cuttings out of a single growing season, maximizing what they can pull from each acre.

Breaking Down Montana’s Irrigated Crop Values

Hay dominates Montana’s irrigated agriculture landscape, with alfalfa and other hay crops bringing in roughly $567 million in value. That’s more than three-quarters of all irrigated crop production in the state.

The other major players include:

• Wheat: $67 million
• Barley: $48 million
• Sugar beets: $42 million
• Corn: $31 million

Smaller specialty crops like canola, chickpeas, dry peas, lentils, and safflower add another $5.5 million to the irrigated production total.

The Bigger Picture for Montana Agriculture

It’s worth noting that Hagerty’s analysis focused purely on crop production and didn’t factor in irrigated pasture used for cattle operations. While about 25 percent of Montana’s irrigated land is pasture, that represents just 1 percent of the state’s total pastureland, so irrigation likely plays a smaller role in the cattle side of things.

What these numbers really show is how irrigation acts as an economic multiplier for Montana agriculture. Sure, most of our state’s farming still happens on dryland, but that relatively small percentage of irrigated ground is punching way above its weight class when it comes to generating revenue for producers and contributing to the state’s agricultural economy.

For Montana farmers and ranchers looking at their operations, these figures underscore the value proposition of irrigation investments—even if the upfront costs can be steep, the production and revenue potential can make a significant difference to the bottom line.

Original source: Northern Ag Network

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FAQ

How much of Montana’s cropland is irrigated?

According to the figures summarized from the 2022 Census of Agriculture analysis, about 7 percent of Montana’s cropland is irrigated.

How much value do Montana’s irrigated acres generate?

Montana’s irrigated fields generate about $737 million in agricultural production value and account for more than a quarter of the state’s total crop value.

Why do irrigated acres produce such a large share of crop value?

Irrigation boosts yields significantly and supports crops that require reliable water. In hay, for example, the per-acre yield difference between irrigated and dryland operations is substantial.

What does the data show for hay production on irrigated land?

Irrigated hay fields make up about 36 percent of Montana’s hay acreage but produce about 56 percent of total hay tonnage.

What are the typical yields for irrigated alfalfa versus dryland hay?

Irrigated alfalfa averages about 2.8 tons per acre, while dryland hay operations typically see around 1 ton per acre.

Which crops contribute the most to Montana’s irrigated crop value?

Hay (alfalfa and other hay crops) leads at roughly $567 million, followed by wheat ($67 million), barley ($48 million), sugar beets ($42 million), and corn ($31 million). Specialty crops add about $5.5 million.

Does this analysis include irrigated pasture for cattle?

No. The analysis discussed here focused on crop production and did not factor in irrigated pasture used for cattle operations.

How much of Montana’s irrigated land is pasture?

About 25 percent of Montana’s irrigated land is pasture, but that equals only about 1 percent of the state’s total pastureland.