The Top 11 Most Valuable Crops Grown In Montana

Montana's economy is one of the healthiest in the entire country, and even though we've got a population of just over 1.15 million people in 2023, our state gross product is over 50 billion dollars. So where does Montana make the most money and what industries are the largest in the Big Sky State?

Montana's economic profile is an interesting one. As important as agriculture is to our state, is is NOT the largest industry (by revenue) by a long shot. According to IbisWorld.com, "The largest industries by revenue in Montana are Petroleum Refining, Lotteries & Native American Casinos and Gasoline & Petroleum Bulk Stations, which generated $8.3b, $8.2b and $6.8b in 2023."

But when we look at Montana's most valuable crops, Montana is often near the top in the nation for annual production in revenue. Hey, if you're going to grow something - do it right! Even if agriculture isn't the largest segment of the Montana economy, it IS still generating serious dollars.

Stacker.com made the tidy list of Montana's most valuable crops, along with the nation's top producing states for each of those crops. As of 2023, this is a snapshot of America's agriculture and farming industry:

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• There are more than 2 million farms in the United States
• 98% of which are operated by families, individuals, family partnerships, or family corporations, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
• About 86% of all agricultural products in America are produced on family ranches or farms.
• A single farm feeds an average of 166 people per year
• Farming represents just 1% of America's GDP
• Farm and ranch families make up less than 2% of America's population.