Montana Corn Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2025
Montana Corn yield reached 132.0 bu/acre in 2025 — 54.5 bu/ac below the US average of 186.5 bu/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Corn yield trend
Montana vs the US average, 2020–2025 (6 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Montana (bu/ac) | US average (bu/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 109 | 171.4 |
| 2021 | 100 | 176.7 |
| 2022 | 112 | 173.4 |
| 2023 | 129 | 177.3 |
| 2024 | 85 | 179.3 |
| 2025 | 132 | 186.5 |
How Montana compares
Top Corn-producing states, 2025 yield
| State | Yield (bu/ac) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 251 | +34.6% |
| Oregon | 236 | +26.5% |
| Illinois | 214 | +14.7% |
| Iowa | 210 | +12.6% |
| Idaho | 209 | +12.1% |
| Indiana | 204 | +9.4% |
| Minnesota | 201 | +7.8% |
| Nebraska | 194 | +4% |
What this data means for Montana Corn farmers
Montana corn yields rebounded sharply in 2025, reaching 132 bu/acre after dropping to a six-year low of 85 bu/acre in 2024, a single-year gain of 47 bu/acre that represents the largest annual swing in the recent production record. That recovery brings the state back in line with its 2023 output of 129 bu/acre and continues an overall upward trend from the 100 bu/acre baseline recorded in 2021. Even so, Montana still trails the national average by a significant 54.5 bu/acre, with US yields sitting at 186.5 bu/acre in 2025, underscoring how much room remains for productivity gains in the region's shorter growing seasons and variable soils.
At a current price of $4.35 per bushel, closing even a portion of that 54.5 bu/acre gap with precision agriculture tools translates directly into meaningful revenue. Variable-rate seeding and fertility prescriptions targeting Montana's highly variable dryland soils can realistically capture 10 to 15 additional bushels per acre, generating $43.50 to $65.25 per acre in added gross income against tool and subscription costs that typically run $15 to $25 per acre. Yield-monitor data layered with soil sampling allows growers to redirect inputs away from chronically underperforming zones and concentrate them where return on investment is highest, a critical discipline in a state where input costs must stretch across challenging terrain. For an operation running 500 corn acres, that optimization alone could add $14,000 or more to the bottom line in a single season.
Precision ag platforms used by Montana Corn farmers
Overview of major platforms — features and fit for different operation sizes. No sponsored content.
Precision ag ROI calculator
Estimate annual savings for your Montana Corn farm based on acreage and current yield
Estimate the payback on variable-rate seeding, zone-based fertility, and overlap reduction for your farm.
Estimate only — based on industry-average implementation costs (variable-rate seeding $18/ac, zone-based fertility $22/ac, overlap reduction $9/ac; $12,000 fixed + $17/ac ongoing) and USDA yield benchmarks, not a quote.
Frequently asked questions — Montana Corn
Why does Montana corn yield at 132 bu/acre fall so far below the US average of 186.5 bu/acre?
Montana's corn yields lag the national average by 54.5 bu/acre primarily due to shorter growing seasons, limited irrigation infrastructure in dryland regions, and cooler overnight temperatures that slow kernel fill. The state's semi-arid climate and variable soil types across the Hi-Line and eastern plains also constrain yield potential compared to Corn Belt states with deeper, more fertile soils and higher rainfall.
What is the potential ROI for Montana corn farmers who adopt precision agriculture tools at current prices?
At $4.35 per bushel, even a modest yield improvement of 10-15 bu/acre through precision ag practices such as variable-rate seeding, soil sampling, and NDVI-guided nitrogen application could generate an additional $43-$65 per acre in gross revenue. Given Montana's 132 bu/acre baseline, targeting high-potential management zones through precision inputs can offer a meaningful return, especially on irrigated acres where yield ceilings are higher.
Which USDA programs are available to Montana corn producers to offset low yield risk or support production costs?
Montana corn farmers can enroll in USDA's Agriculture Risk Coverage-County (ARC-CO) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs through the Farm Service Agency, which provide payments when revenues or prices fall below benchmark levels. Additionally, USDA's Risk Management Agency offers crop insurance products including Yield Protection and Revenue Protection policies tailored to Montana county yield histories, helping producers manage the financial impact of below-average harvests.
What local growing conditions in Montana most limit corn production, and how can agronomists address them?
The primary limiting factors for Montana corn are frost risk, with many areas experiencing fewer than 120 frost-free days, along with low and erratic summer precipitation averaging 10-14 inches annually in eastern growing regions. Agronomists recommend selecting early-maturing hybrids with relative maturity ratings of 85-95 days, prioritizing fields with proven water-holding capacity, and using soil moisture monitoring to optimize limited irrigation resources for maximum yield efficiency.