Edam Discusses Changes as a Fourth Generation Wheat Farmer

Dale Edam, a fourth generation wheat farmer in the area, is still working the land that his father and grandfather worked before him. The original homestead of his great-grandfather is about a mile away from the current farm which is located west of Crane, MT.

In 1912 Edam’s great-grandfather Bert Edam established a homestead and farmed 160 acres near Crane, MT as well as owning the first tractor and threshing machine in the area. Edam’s grandfather, Wilbert Edam, and his brother George began farming at 14 and 16 years of age; Edam’s father, Wilbert (Dale) Edam also began farming as a teen and following with tradition, Edam himself began farming as a teenager by raising a family garden as a 4-H project. Later he would purchase a small herd of cattle in FFA and lease crop land from the family farm. He notes that growing up on the farm instilled in him a good work ethic while giving him a place to work with animals and enjoy nature, a large garden, and riding motorcycles. Edam officially purchased the farm in 2000 where he and his wife LaDean raised their twin sons, Koby and Keevin.

The farm has approximately 2080 tillable acres and Edam notes that one of the biggest changes over the years has been the no-till or minimum till method of farming.

“Growing up, so much of my summer was spent tilling fallow ground,” he says. “Forty to fifty percent of the land was not cropped and left idle to prepare the soil for crops the next year. Today we use rotation crops to break up the cycle of continuous cropping and we have a more diverse cropping system which includes spring wheat, peas, beans, millet, sunflowers, safflowers and alfalfa.”

Raising livestock has also been an asset to the farm; three and a half sections of grass are designated for grazing allowing for alfalfa and hay crops to be incorporated. This system helps to break down disease and weed cycles. In addition, cattle are beneficial reducing labor and fuel costs by helping maintain land and provide organic matter where needed.

Weather has always been the biggest challenge when it comes to farming in Northeastern Montana. Severe climates and intense snow storms are just as much of a concern now as they were to previous generations. However, larger equipment is available today to move snow and livestock can be reached more quickly after a storm.

In addition, the oil-boom has brought changes to farming in the form of both opportunities and challenges.

“Finding experienced farm labor has been difficult with the draw of the oil field and high paying jobs. I have reduced my labor force, leased some land, but have also had some great opportunities to work in the oil field as well,” says Edam.

Despite challenges both new and old, Edam notes that he has always enjoyed farming and ranching and continues on in the tradition of generations before him.

 

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