Montana pulse farmers are at the heart of a national movement. At its 2025 conference, USA Pulses announced a bold plan to double both consumption and production of peas, lentils, chickpeas, and dry beans by 2030. That goal pairs perfectly...
It’s hard to overstate just how much of a game-changer it was when scientists first realized that certain crops—specifically legumes like dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas—could pull nitrogen straight from the air and deposit it in the soil. Today, Montana...
Montana’s pulse industry had an important opportunity to showcase its work when Rep. Troy Downing visited Columbia Grain’s processing facility. Joined by industry representatives, growers, and media, Downing toured the plant and engaged in a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges...
Montana State University issued an Ag Alert on Thursday after a Palmer amaranth plant was confirmed for the first time in Hill County, Montana in August 2025. It would be the fourth confirmed occurrence of this weed in Montana, some...
For Montana pulse growers, the Farm Bill is more than just federal legislation—it is the backbone of support programs that help manage risk, protect soil and water, and keep markets strong. Yet as of late August 2025, Congress has not...
In agriculture, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day: weather forecasts, commodity prices, and whether the grain truck will start. But every once in a while, it’s important to pause, look ahead, and ask: Where are we going?...
We’ve already written about How Market Prices Are Set for Montana Pulse Crops, so you might be asking—how do local elevators, processors, and exporters actually come up with those numbers? If there’s no central exchange or published futures price for...
If you grow lentils, chickpeas, or dry peas in Montana, you already know that prices can shift quickly. But where exactly do those prices come from? And who decides what your crop is worth? Unlike major commodities like corn and...
U.S. agriculture is entering a moment of recalibration. In 2025, producers across the Northern Plains and Mountain West cut back on wheat, barley, and canola while boosting pulse plantings, particularly lentils. The shift reflects changing global demand, input costs, and...