Today the area has become a rich grain growing area. Called by many “the heart of the Golden Triangle” (a reference to the golden fields of grain), the area has been broken by the plow of white settlers and now yields a bounty of wheat and barley.

Some area farmers and ranchers have actually found that it is more cost efficient not to grow crops as conservation to environment based government programs such as CRP grant agricultural landholders payment for not planting their crops.

Because of a mostly open border with Canada (due in part to the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA), recent times have seen agricultural strikes and claims of “dumping” of both Canadian beef and grain. The dispute continues today with no immediate remedy in sight.

Additional pictures courtesy of  Apex Angus, Cut Bank Chamber of Commerce and Valier Area Development Corp.

The old saying "the more things change the more they stay the same" is this area in a nut shell. Cut Bank, along with most communities on the High Line, got its start with the railroad, cattle, farming, and oil. This is still the case today. They are staying alive with grain crops and the search for new oil reserves. The area's local economy is also supplied heavily with business from the Blackfeet Reservation.

Last Modified on: 1/11/2003