National Agriculture Week is March 16-22

March 16-22 marks National Agriculture Week, a time to recognize farmers and ranchers for their hard work and bountiful, safe and affordable food supply. Montanans can be proud that agriculture continues to rank as Montana's number-one industry.

There are 60 million acres in farm and ranch land in Montana, making it number two in the nation. The average farm/ranch size in Montana is 2,210 acres, ranking it number four in farm/ranch size in the nation. (The average farm size in the U.S. is 411 acres.) Montana can boast 28,300 farms and ranches.

"There are amazing statistics on what U.S. farmers and ranchers produce on those farms and ranches," notes Montana Farm Bureau President Dave McClure. "One-third of the world's beef and nearly one-fifth of the world's grain, milk and eggs are produced in the U.S. In the 1960s, a farmer produced enough food for 25 people, in the U.S. and abroad. Today, one farmer produces enough food to feed about 144 people. American agriculture is doing more - and doing it better. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States."

The top five agricultural commodities in the U.S. are cattle and calves, dairy products, broilers, corn and soybeans. Montana ranks 11th in the U.S. with 2.6 million cattle and calves, and third in total wheat production, with more than 149 billion bushels of wheat.

Because agriculture in the U.S. is so productive, it's assumed by many that large corporations must run the show. McClure cautions against that common, but erroneous, statement. "The truth is that 98 percent of farms and ranches are owned by individuals, family partnerships or family corporations."

He disputes another myth that farmers and ranchers are ruining the environment. "Farmers and ranchers are the first environmentalists, maintaining and improving the soil and natural resources to pass on to future generations," he explains. "Farmers use reduced tillage practices on more than 72 million acres to prevent erosion, and maintain more than 1.3 million acres of grass waterways, allowing water to flow naturally from crops without eroding soil."

In addition, farmers and ranchers provide 75 percent of habitat for the nation's wildlife and are responsible for much of the open land everyone enjoys.

"As you enjoy that juicy steak and tasty wheat roll for dinner during Agriculture Week, be sure to thank farmers and ranchers for producing our safe, delicious and affordable food," McClure concluded.