Gov. Greg Gianforte visited Dahlman Farms during Montana Agriculture Week to highlight the importance of international trade to the state’s farmers and ranchers and to underscore the role export markets play in supporting Montana’s top industry.
The visit put a spotlight on the Dahlman family’s long history in Montana agriculture and on the broader significance of overseas markets for wheat, barley, beef and other commodities produced in the state. The family has operated in the Power area for generations, raising winter wheat, spring wheat, durum, malt barley, lentils, peas and commercial beef cattle, including registered Red Angus.
State officials said the visit also served as a reminder that Montana agriculture depends not only on production at home, but on strong relationships with customers abroad. Last fall, Dahlman joined Gianforte and other agricultural leaders on a trade mission to South Korea and Japan aimed at expanding export opportunities for Montana products.
During that trip, the delegation met in Japan with flour milling companies and baking industry representatives that rely on high-quality wheat from Montana and the Northern Plains. In South Korea, the group met with importers, food companies and organizations that promote U.S. grains in foreign markets.
The governor’s office said those relationships are especially important because Korea and Japan consistently rank among Montana’s top trading partners. In 2024, South Korea was Montana’s second-largest trading partner, purchasing more than $335 million in industrial machinery, coal, beef and wheat, while Japan ranked fourth, purchasing more than $265 million in exports including agricultural products, wheat and coal.
In addition to working on the family farm, Lee Dahlman has played a leadership role in promoting Montana agriculture through service as vice chair of the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee and through involvement with U.S. Wheat Associates and the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council. He has also hosted trade delegations from Asia at his farm and recently returned from a North Asia board visit to South Korea and Taiwan.