The average value of farm production in Montana increased 59.1 percent since 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service. Nationwide, the average value increased by 38.8 percent.

Montana Department of Agriculture director Ron de Yong notes, however, that “while production and value is up ...  input costs have increased significantly as well.”

The total market value of agricultural products in Montana grew by 50.9 percent to $4.2 billion over the last five years. The average value per farm increased by 59.1 percent to $151,035.

The total number of farms in Montana decreased slightly to 28,008, down by 1,516 farms from 2007. The number of small farms, from 1 to 49 acres, grew by 504 for the same time period, and the average age of a Montana operator increased from 57.9 to 58.9 years.

Agriculture continues to be Montana’s No. 1 industry, de Yong said.

“The market has been strong for agricultural producers over the last few years, with the high price of wheat and barley, and the continued expansion of the pulse seed industry,” de Yong said. “A lot of the growth can be attributed to our high quality product, aggressive marketing and the rapid expansion of dry peas and lentils on fallow ground.”

USDA’s Statistics Service takes a complete count of America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them every five years. The last survey was conducted in 2007. For more information, visit online at www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012.