Cuba, Havana: Two members of Montana's congressional delegation completed a trade agreement on September 14 to sell $10 million worth of Montana agricultural products to Cuba within the next six months, Associated Press reported in a statement. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., announced from Havana that they had signed a letter of agreement for $10 million worth of Montana wheat, malting and feed barley, live cattle and dry beans. "This is an historic agreement that will help boost Montana's ag economy and create jobs," Baucus said. "This deal paves the way for future sales to Cuba."

Current U.S. restrictions don't allow for the signing of a formal contract for the deal, but Baucus and Rehberg said the final details will be wrapped up today, once they are back on American soil.

When barley producer Dave Henderson of Cut Bank heard the news Sunday night, his single-word response was, "Fantastic." He went on to say, "Any increase in the amount of feed barley or malt barley that is exported is a great deal for our market."

17 September, 2003