Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Petroleum County
Petroleum County sits within the Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part (MLRA 58A) region. Elevation averages about 3,087 feet.
Temperatures in Petroleum County range from a January mean low of 12°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 14.3 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Petroleum County ran 101 farms, 664,043 acres of farmland, and 19,814 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 16+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Petroleum County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
813 N Broadway, Winnett, MT 59087
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
211 Mckinley St, Lewistown, MT 59457
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 Petroleum County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 84% of farmland in Petroleum County, about 558,157 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in May. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Petroleum County
Farms in Petroleum County average 6,575 acres, and about 2% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 10,438 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Petroleum County
Given the operation mix in Petroleum County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Petroleum County Operations
Based on Petroleum County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CRP enrollment protects fragile rangeland and provides wildlife habitat in this sparsely populated county. EQIP supports extensive grazing systems and stock water development for large ranch operations.
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 Fergus County, Montana, Garfield County, Montana, Musselshell County, Montana, Phillips County, Montana, and Rosebud County, Montana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Petroleum County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Montana guide: Montana Farm Programs Guide
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