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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Daviess County
Daviess County lies in the Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain (MLRA 109) region. Elevation averages about 829 feet.
Daviess County averages 39.2 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 52.8°F.
Daviess County's agricultural base centers on soybeans, hogs, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 976 farms working 320,474 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 6,320 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Missouri |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Hogs, Corn, Cattle & calves, Poultry, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Daviess County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
209 Ash St, Gallatin, MO 64640
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Daviess County
Daviess County reported 6,320 head of cattle across roughly 38,771 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Daviess County.
Farm Structure in Daviess County
Daviess County reports about 1,293 acres under irrigation. Farms average 328 acres, with about 16% classed as small operations. Around 22% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Daviess County
Daviess County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and hogs. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Daviess County Operations
Based on Daviess County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Nutrient management plans are critical for large livestock operations to protect water quality in the Grand River basin. Cover crop adoption increases each year to improve soil health on intensive cropland.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Counties Bordering Daviess County
Daviess County shares borders with Caldwell County, Missouri, DeKalb County, Missouri, Gentry County, Missouri, Grundy County, Missouri, Harrison County, Missouri, and Livingston County, Missouri. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Daviess County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Missouri guide: Missouri Farm Programs Guide
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