Pallets in Montana. Delivered by the truckload.

Montana's freight crosses long distances between few docks. Wheat, barley and lentils come off the northern plains, Billings refines fuel and restocks stores across the eastern half, and Canadian trade moves through Sweetgrass on I-15. Much of its baking grain heads west for export.

Montana leads the nation in lentil production and ranks second or third for spring wheat, durum and barley, according to the state agriculture department's NASDA profile, which adds that up to 80% of the state's high-quality baking grain ships from West Coast ports to buyers in Asia and the Middle East. Billings, the most populous city, is the trade and distribution center for much of Montana east of the Continental Divide, and Yellowstone County holds three of the state's oil refineries. Great Falls grew on grain milling and rail.

For pallets, distance is the defining fact. Docks sit hours apart on I-90, I-94 and I-15, so buyers plan around full truckloads and pick grades that last through repeat trips. Bagged lentils, peas and specialty grain packed into containers need heat-treated pallets. Billings distributors restocking stores across eastern Montana run standard 48x40s, and the Yellowstone Valley's sugar, bakery and dairy plants want sound pallets under food cases.