Scotland County, Missouri: USDA programs and conservation funding

654
Farms & Ranches
213K
Acres in Agriculture
325
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$30.7M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Hogs, Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Scotland County, Missouri has 654 farms working 212,718 agricultural acres (average 325 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $30.7 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Hogs, Grain, Corn. 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 Scotland County

Scotland County lies in the Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain (MLRA 109) region. Elevation averages about 771 feet.

Scotland County averages 39.7 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 51.7°F.

Scotland County's agricultural base centers on hogs, corn, and soybeans. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 654 farms working 212,718 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 20,086 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNortheast Missouri
Top CommoditiesHogs, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Poultry

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 Scotland County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

19825 Us Highway 136, Memphis, MO 63555

(660) 465-8517

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 Scotland County Operations

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

Nutrient management plans coordinate crop fertilization with livestock waste applications. Soil conservation practices help maintain long-term productivity on intensively managed farmland.

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 Scotland County

Scotland County shares borders with Davis County, Iowa, Van Buren County, Iowa, Adair County, Missouri, Clark County, Missouri, Knox County, Missouri, and Schuyler 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 Scotland 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

CSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.52
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.83
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Scotland 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.