Perry County, Missouri: USDA programs and conservation funding

736
Farms & Ranches
193K
Acres in Agriculture
263
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$55.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Cattle, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Perry County, Missouri has 736 farms working 193,440 agricultural acres (average 263 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $55.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Cattle, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

← Missouri Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Perry County

Perry County sits within the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes (MLRA 115) region. Elevation averages about 531 feet.

Temperatures in Perry County range from a January mean low of 24°F to a July mean high near 88°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.0 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Perry County ran 736 farms, 193,440 acres of farmland, and 9,540 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, soybeans, and corn.


Quick Facts

RegionSoutheast Missouri
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat, Dairy, Hogs

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Perry County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1003 N Main St, Perryville, MO 63775

(573) 547-6531

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.


Programs for Perry County Operations

Based on Perry County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Flood management and soil conservation are priorities in the Mississippi River bottomlands. Grazing management systems help optimize cattle production on the rolling upland terrain.

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

Bordering Counties

If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Jackson County, Illinois, Randolph County, Illinois, Union County, Illinois, Bollinger County, Missouri, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, and Madison County, Missouri. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Perry County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Missouri guide: Missouri Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.58
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.81
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Perry County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.