Agriculture on the rise in Flathead
Agriculture production needs to double in the next 50 years in order meet the demands of the world’s growing population according to Kalispell CHS General Manager Mark Lalum. Lalum and Bigfork’s Duane Johnson, owner of Clearwater Biologicals, spoke with the Flathead County Democratic Party and Central Committee at the Swan River Community Hall on Jan. 15 about how state and regional farms are leading the way.
On a local scale, Flathead Valley produces enough wheat to make 107,000,480 loaves of bread. Agriculture also brings in nearly $34 million annually to the Flathead Valley.
And, over the last five years it has been growing according to Lalum.
“Ag is considered a new wealth industry,” Lalum said. “It’s what’s making us have a higher standard of living because it’s bringing in wealth.”
Johnson outlined the net worth per acre for wheat, alfalfa, canola, camelina and barley as both commodity and value-added enterprises during his presentation.
As commodity enterprises, alfalfa leads in net worth per acre at $953.52. Camelina nets $242.60, wheat nets $203.10, canola nets $166, and barley nets $141.25.
But as value-added enterprises those numbers change substantially. Value-added enterprise values essentially means what they are worth once processed, such as turning alfalfa into cubes or pellets and processing camelina or canola into biofuels, jet fuel, grease, oil for machines, or omega-3 supplements.
Alfalfa’s worth increases to $1,950 per acre once turned into cubes or pellets. Canola’s value per acre increases to $1,314.46 per acre, and camelina’s increases to $2,493.09 per acre once processed.
But, processing camelina and canola is an expensive endeavor. Johnson credited Montana Sen. Jon Tester with helping in the process.
“We’re looking at transmission fluids and motor oils but need help from the government,” Johnson said.
According to Lalum, agriculture is the leading industry in the state and if taken alone, wheat would be fourth. He also said Montanan agriculture is second only to Texas in the nation.
“Montana winter wheat is considered premium quality wheat in the world,” Lalum said. “Japan and Korea, they want specifically Montana winter wheat.”
However, Mexico is currently the leading consumer of Montanan wheat. Flathead Valley’s wheat has issues with dough strength and is more commonly sold to countries such as Vietnam according to Lalum.
During his presentation, Lalum outlined the challenges Flathead Valley farmers are facing; such short growing seasons, transportation and land development. With housing and urban development expanding, farmers have difficulty using their large equipment.
Another challenge he pointed out was that the Flathead Valley contains 280 distinct soil varieties unlike the eastern side of the state where one soil type could run consistently for many acres.
The duo ended their presentations with a question and answer forum with topics ranging from their opinion on genetically modified foods to the upcoming Farm Bill. Johnson said he saw genetically modified foods as a mixed blessing and hopes the Farm Bill provides a level playing field.