Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Yellowstone County
Yellowstone County sits within the Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part (MLRA 58A) region. Elevation averages about 2,990 feet.
Temperatures in Yellowstone County range from a January mean low of 14°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 14.6 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Yellowstone County ran 1,186 farms, 1,433,440 acres of farmland, and 63,537 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and barley.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Barley, Corn, Honey, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 18+ 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 Yellowstone County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1400 S 24th St West Ste 8, Billings, MT 59102
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 Yellowstone County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 76% of farmland in Yellowstone County, about 1,087,215 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Yellowstone County
Farms in Yellowstone County average 1,209 acres, and about 30% are small operations. Roughly 29% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 48,166 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Yellowstone County
With cattle and grain in the mix in Yellowstone County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Yellowstone County Operations
Based on Yellowstone County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation modernization and water conservation practices are emphasized due to competing water demands. Urban-interface farming programs help preserve agricultural land near the growing Billings metropolitan area.
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 Big Horn County, Montana, Carbon County, Montana, Golden Valley County, Montana, Musselshell County, Montana, Rosebud County, Montana, and Stillwater County, Montana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Yellowstone 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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