Travelers driving the Hi-Line will likely notice evidence from town to town that they are in Ag country. This evidence might manifest in the form of an alfalfa field, a pasture dotted with grazing cattle, or a grain field swaying in the breeze. Further indication occurs in nearly every small town, which features an agriculture supply store or an implement dealership so that the diverse and colorful group of farmers and ranchers that call the Hi-Line home have access to all the parts and expertise to keep their fields fertilized and their machinery in operating condition, whether it is Case IH red, John Deere green, AGCO orange, or New Holland blue.

Although these farm equipment dealerships and agricultural supply stores are familiar, they have begun to adapt to innovations in technology and to new trends in agriculture. Compared to even ten years ago when a producer might have visited an implement dealership to buy a new tractor, purchase parts for a swather, or have a combine serviced, today, producers are just as likely to visit an implement dealership and gain access to agronomists and to range and animal specialists.

For example, since 1912 when Reier and Betsy Torgerson established their first store in Ethridge, Montana, Torgerson's has been providing equipment to area producers under the motto, "Steady as You Grow." The store operated as a mercantile and sold appliances, trucks, and even airplanes until the sixties, when it became solely a farm implement dealer. Whether a producer is spreading fertilizer, strip tilling, spraying, or even farming in the dark, Torgerson's offer guidance equipment for the job. But, true to their motto, as times have changed, Torgerson's again sells more than new and used equipment and the parts to service and repair that equipment.

According to Larry Sasaki, who works at Torgerson's in Havre, the company staffs agronomic and range and animal science specialists who complement the new-style equipment and essentially teach people not only proper use of that equipment but share techniques that maximize profitability of all farming processes. In a strategic partnership with AGRI-TREND, Torgerson's can provide agronomic support to Ag production customers across the region using AGRI-TREND's people, processes, and data platform.

"These professionals share accurate and reliable agricultural advice. They're another division of our work because that knowledge goes hand-in-hand with the precision equipment we sell," Sasaki claims.

Working in partnership with Torgerson's, the agronomic support is provided by a branch of the business called 406 Agronomy, which currently staffs three specialists. One of them is Lance Lindbloom, who has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Range and Animal Science. He considers himself a coach. "We don't just hand producers a recommendation and send them on their way. We personalize the service using the three legs of AGRI-TREND's farmer centric business model: Coaching, Knowledge, and Data," Lindbloom said.

"For instance, I might start with a soil sample and determine that a farmer who wants to grow chick peas in his field will need to add boron, a micronutrient that is crucial in flowering. Boron will ensure the health of the plant and enable it to adapt to the heat of a Hi-Line summer," he added.

Four and a half years ago, in response to producer's request for extra knowledge, Torgerson's decided such a partnership was essential. AGRI-TREND, a Canadian-based business from Red Deer, Alberta, provides a network of in-depth and innovative advisory and coaching services to farmers so that they can grow a safe, reliable, and profitable food supply in an environmentally sustainable manner.

"Just as cattle use various nutrients dependent on their breed, age, and size, the soil requires similar attention since there is livestock under the ground where microorganisms make their home; we just don't see them," Lindbloom stated.

Whether ensuring a healthy soil biology, performing plant tissue tests, or taking satellite images and tailoring them for an individual's acreage and needs, agronomists can help growers take agronomy to a higher resolution. "We grow with our customers since we learn along with the producer in a reciprocal relationship. Although we deploy theory, the producer puts that into practice," Lindbloom concluded.

On the data platform side, AGRI-TREND's network has collected over 65 million acres of legacy data in their system that can now be accessed by a smart phone using Agri-Data Mobile, which is available in all App Stores.

Another AGRI-TREND professional who serves the Hi-Line with 406 Agronomy is Santiago Plans, who holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy. "One of the most responsive services we provide is Zone Mapping. This technology utilizes satellite imagery to reveal productivity zones on someone's property. From these images, we write a Variable Rate Prescription (VRP) to tell producers where to apply fertilizer, for example, or where they might better spend their money," Plans said.

"With the rate that technology is progressing, soon we'll be able to write VRPs that respond to weather conditions. We already can monitor weather and soil moisture with in-field weather stations that track temperature, wind speed, and accumulated precipitation. Combining this information with soil moisture data allows us to predict yield potential and make smarter in-season decisions that are personalized for each producer," Plans added.

Producers can sign-up to receive services from 406 Agronomy by calling Lindbloom at 406.855.4765 or by emailing him at lance.lindbloom@406agronomy.com. Plans can be reached at 406.788.4113 or by email: santiago.plans@406agronomy.com.

Frontline Ag Solutions, the new and used John Deere dealer with ten Montana locations including Havre, offers a similar service called CENTROL Crop Consulting. Frontline Ag calls itself "Montana's premier Agronomic Integrated Solutions Dealer offering full support for all your agronomic needs."

Their CENTROL program provides Crop Monitoring, Soil Sampling, and Precision Ag services. Whether a producer is in the CSP or EQIP programs or is an independent, CENTROL offers Variable Rate Prescriptions. They will assist producers in setting up soil sampling zones based on either satellite imagery or yield monitor data. Then, they will sample those zones and work with producers to finalize their variable rate parameters and write the prescription for whatever type of application is used.

Their Certified Crop Advisors are Tim Hartwell and Joel Farkell. Hartwell's office phone is (406) 873-5505, cell: (406) 460-1153, and email: t.hartwell@frontlineag.com. Farkell can be reached by phone: (406) 271-2914 or email: jfarkell@hotmail.com.

CENTROL provides season-long crop monitoring on a per acre basis. Under a contract with CENTROL, producers receive a weekly visit and a report that includes crop stage and detailed information on any weeds, diseases, insects, nutritional deficiencies and environment conditions for each field. Chemical recommendations will also be made accordingly, and custom monitoring may be performed as requested, usually on a per hour rate.

Although soil samples may be sent to other labs upon request, CENTROL typically sends its samples to Agvise Laboratories in Northwood, North Dakota.

Producers also have access to researchers and educators through their local MSU-Extension Service offices. Blaine County Extension, for example, offers research-based knowledge that not only strengthens agriculture enterprises but allows producers to make informed decisions about their operations. Their services include Nitrate Testing, Soil Testing, Forage Analysis, and Hay Probe Rentals.

MSU Blaine County 4-H and Ag Extension Agent, Juli Snedigar reported that in 2018, over 40 samples were submitted for identification of diseases, insect infestations, and pest identification. In addition, over 75 samples were submitted for nitrate testing.

According to Snedigar, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a minor in Agriculture from MSU-Northern and an associate degree in agriculture business from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming: "The most wonderful part of working for Extension is being the portal of information from the university to the county. For every topic there may be a question, we have research based information to pass along to our constituents. I don't just focus in any one area. We strive to find and deliver programming that will benefit all the folks of the county."

Applying university research and resources, MSU Extension offices help Montana agricultural producers and land owners increase profits, reduce loss, protect our food supply, and sustain future resources.

People on the Hi-Line are also fortunate to have the Northern Ag Research Center (NARC) at Fort Assiniboine near Havre. Superintendent Darrin Boss (Email: dboss@montana.edu; Tel: (406) 265-6115) encourages producers not only to contact NARC with questions but to use their many online tools to aid in various farm management decisions.

Using NARC's Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory Service, for example, producers can submit samples for diagnosis of plant diseases, insect damage, and environmental plant problems, as well as for visual assessment of herbicide injury to plants. NARC also provides identification services for plants, insects, and mushrooms and gives management recommendations when needed.

Other Extension Econ Tools, such as the Wheat Basis Database, allows producers to learn about Montana wheat basis and market volatility, as well as to search spot and futures prices. The Economics of Fertilizer Application in Grain Production tool enables a producer to optimize nitrogen fertilizer application rates using agronomic and economic models.

Another Implement Dealer on hand at the 70th Annual Montana Seed Show was Torgeson's.

With access to these multiple resources, farmers and ranchers will likely flourish for years to come on the Hi-Line. According to a recent edition of the Montana Agricultural Statistics, agriculture is one of the most important industries in Montana, providing the backbone of Montana's economy. Blaine County alone produces over 5.7 million bushels of wheat each year from 190,000 planted acres. There are also 45,000 mother cows in the county supported by an irrigated hay base of over 60,000 acres located along the Milk River, enhanced by irrigation supplied by the Corps of Engineers St. Mary's diversion project.

Despite the current climate of low prices, high operating costs, and extreme weather, Montana's producers are continuing to grow through careful planning and sustainable farming and ranching practices. The cattle and wheat enterprises in Blaine County are not only adding food power but economic and job power to the area.