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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Dawes County
Dawes County is part of the Mixed Sandy and Silty Tableland and Badlands land resource region (MLRA 64). The county's mean elevation is about 3,706 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Dawes County sees 18.3 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 48.0°F mean annual temperature.
Dawes County carries 51,391 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 613,803 acres. 442 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,903 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwestern Nebraska Panhandle |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Honey, Sheep, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 20+ 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 Dawes County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1006 W Sixth Street, Chadron, NE 69337
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 Dawes County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Dawes County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 613,803 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Dawes County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Dawes County at an average farm size of 1,903 acres, 9% small operations, 32% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 17,782 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Dawes County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Dawes 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 Dawes County Operations
Based on Dawes County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Forest and rangeland management programs address grazing in pine woodlands and native grassland conservation. Water development projects are critical for livestock operations in this water-limited environment.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Dawes County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Box Butte County, Nebraska, Sheridan County, Nebraska, Sioux County, Nebraska, and Fall River County, South Dakota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Dawes County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Nebraska guide: Nebraska Farm Programs Guide
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