“Ag is Montana's number-one industry and Montana's farmers produce the best and highest quality wheat in the world and Japan is one of our best customers. They buy Montana wheat because it's the best. I urge the Administration to quickly finalize trade negotiations with Japan,” said Daines in a text.

Wheat marketing groups contacted by Lee Montana on Wednesday were unaware of a pending major purchase by Japan. Montana’s Wheat and Barley Committee had heard nothing about the sale. U.S. Wheat Associates, the nation’s primary wheat marketing group, issued a fact sheet stating the importance of wheat sales to Japan. Included in the fact sheet was a photo of Chris Kolstad’s Montana wheat operation. Kolstad, U.S. Wheat’s immediate past chair, farms in Ledger.

The National Association of Wheat Growers was among the groups chafed by Trump’s remarks.

“@realDonaldTrump Mr. President, Japan is the #1 market for US wheat exports on average, where we hold just over 50% of the market. They don’t buy our wheat because 'they want us to feel okay.' They buy it because it’s the highest quality wheat in the world,” tweeted the National Association of Wheat Growers. “That’s not fake news.”

Benjamin and fellow Montana farmer Vince Mattson, are on the NAWG board of directors.