Montana Wheat Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2026
Montana Wheat yield reached 37.2 bu/acre in 2026 — 10.9 bu/ac below the US average of 48.1 bu/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Wheat yield trend
Montana vs the US average, 2020–2026 (7 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Montana (bu/ac) | US average (bu/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 41.7 | 49.7 |
| 2021 | 22.2 | 44.3 |
| 2022 | 28.3 | 46.5 |
| 2023 | 37.2 | 48.7 |
| 2024 | 34.1 | 51.2 |
| 2025 | 36.8 | 53.3 |
| 2026 | 37.2 | 48.1 |
How Montana compares
Top Wheat-producing states, 2026 yield
| State | Yield (bu/ac) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 87 | +80.9% |
| Michigan | 87 | +80.9% |
| Indiana | 85 | +76.7% |
| California | 83.4 | +73.4% |
| Ohio | 83 | +72.6% |
| Wisconsin | 83 | +72.6% |
| Kentucky | 82 | +70.5% |
| Alabama | 79 | +64.2% |
What this data means for Montana Wheat farmers
Montana's wheat yield reached 37.2 bushels per acre in 2026 according to USDA's final estimate, a modest gain of 0.4 bushels per acre over the 36.8 recorded in 2025 and a meaningful rebound from the drought-punished low of 22.2 bushels per acre in 2021. The five-year trajectory tells a story of recovery interrupted by volatility, with yields swinging from that 2021 trough through a strong 41.7 in 2020, then collapsing again before stabilizing in the mid-to-upper thirties. Despite recent consistency, Montana still trails the national average by a substantial 10.9 bushels per acre, with the US coming in at 48.1 bushels per acre for the same period. At the current USDA NASS price of $6.23 per bushel, that yield gap represents roughly $68 per acre in unrealized gross revenue compared to the average American wheat producer.
Closing even a portion of that gap is where precision agriculture tools deliver measurable payback for Montana growers. Variable-rate seeding and fertilizer application calibrated to soil EC mapping can realistically recover 3 to 5 bushels per acre on fields with high within-field variability, translating to $18.69 to $31.15 per acre in added gross revenue at current prices. When weighed against typical variable-rate technology subscription and application costs in the $8 to $12 per acre range, net ROI lands between roughly $7 and $23 per acre on treated ground. On a 2,000-acre dryland operation, that spread compounds quickly, putting $14,000 to $46,000 in additional margin within reach without expanding a single acre of production.
Precision ag platforms used by Montana Wheat 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 Wheat 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 Wheat
Why does Montana Wheat yield at 37.2 bu/acre fall 10.9 bu/acre below the US average of 48.1 bu/acre?
Montana's wheat production is heavily influenced by its semi-arid climate, shorter growing seasons, and dryland farming conditions that limit yield potential compared to more humid wheat-producing states. Much of Montana's acreage relies on winter and spring wheat varieties grown without irrigation, making yields highly sensitive to annual precipitation patterns and late-season drought stress.
What is the potential ROI for a Montana wheat farmer investing in precision agriculture tools given the current yield gap?
At a current price of $6.23 per bushel, closing even half the 10.9 bu/acre gap through precision soil sampling, variable-rate fertilizer application, and yield mapping could generate an additional $33.95 per acre in gross revenue. Given that precision ag input costs typically range from $10 to $20 per acre, Montana wheat growers could see a net return of $14 to $24 per acre annually by adopting targeted data-driven management practices.
Which USDA programs are available to Montana wheat farmers looking to improve yield performance and manage production risk?
Montana wheat producers can access USDA's Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, which provide financial safety nets when yields or prices fall below benchmark levels. Additionally, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding that can offset costs for precision irrigation, cover cropping, and soil health practices designed to improve long-term productivity.
How do Montana's local growing conditions specifically affect wheat quality and yield variability across the state?
Montana spans multiple agro-climatic zones, with the Hi-Line region experiencing frequent drought and cold snaps that can reduce kernel weight and test weight, while the Yellowstone River corridor offers comparatively better moisture retention for higher yields. Soil variability is also significant, ranging from highly productive clay loams in the north-central counties to shallow, rocky soils in foothill areas, making field-level precision data critical for accurately benchmarking and improving site-specific wheat performance.