Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Powder River County
Elevation across Powder River County averages about 3,935 feet. The county falls within the Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part (MLRA 58A) land resource region.
The growing season in Powder River County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 15.6 inches per year. January lows average around 11°F while July highs reach about 88°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 332 farms in Powder River County, operating across 1,854,916 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 5,587 acres. Top commodities include cattle, sheep, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Sheep, Wheat, Corn, Horses, Barley |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). 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 Powder River County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
114 N Lincoln, Broadus, MT 59317
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 Powder River County
The forage year in Powder River County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 1,571,745 acres of pastureland and 59,011 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Powder River County
About 26% of Powder River County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 6% of farms are small and 40% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 5,587 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Powder River County
Given the operation mix in Powder River 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 Powder River County Operations
Based on Powder River County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports rangeland management improvements including prescribed grazing and brush management on extensive ranch operations. Conservation practices emphasize soil health and drought resilience in this semi-arid ranching environment.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.
Powder River County Conservation Priorities
Powder River County is big ranch country, with large cow-calf operations on sagebrush steppe and mixed-grass range, with some sheep outfits. Conservation priorities reflect the arid, rangeland-dominant landscape:
- Sage-grouse habitat: Southeastern Montana is core sage-grouse range. NRCS typically offers dedicated EQIP funding pools for sage-grouse practices including sagebrush conservation, conifer removal, and wildlife-friendly fencing.
- Livestock water development: Wells, solar pumps, pipelines, and tanks that improve grazing distribution across large pastures. This is one of the most consistently funded practices in the county.
- Wildlife-friendly fencing: Smooth-bottom-wire and lay-down designs that allow pronghorn and sage-grouse movement while still managing cattle. May qualify for EQIP or sage-grouse initiative funding.
- Prescribed grazing: Grazing management plans that balance livestock production with rangeland health on these large, arid allotments.
- Riparian area protection: Fencing and off-stream water to protect the Powder River and tributary drainages from concentrated livestock use.
Insurance note: Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) can provide price risk coverage for cow-calf operations on feeder and fed cattle. PRF insurance is well suited to these large rangeland operations. It may pay indemnities when rainfall index falls short.
Confirm current priorities with your local NRCS office. Annual LWG meetings are open to all producers.
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Powder River County: Big Horn County, Montana, Carter County, Montana, Custer County, Montana, Rosebud County, Montana, Campbell County, Wyoming, and Crook County, Wyoming. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Powder River 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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