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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Dundy County
Dundy County sits within the Central High Tableland (MLRA 72) region. Elevation averages about 3,327 feet.
Temperatures in Dundy County range from a January mean low of 17°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 18.9 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Dundy County ran 240 farms, 527,593 acres of farmland, and 43,745 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, Grain sorghum, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Dundy County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
706 E 5th St, Imperial, NE 69033
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1303 A St, Benkelman, NE 69021
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 Dundy County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 63% of farmland in Dundy County, about 334,045 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around July and forage peaks in August. 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 Dundy County
Farms in Dundy County average 2,198 acres, and about 4% are small operations. Roughly 31% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 56,485 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Dundy County
Dundy County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Dundy County Operations
Based on Dundy County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CRP enrollment is extensive for wind erosion control and wildlife habitat on marginal soils. Livestock Forage Program provides critical support during frequent drought periods.
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 Yuma County, Colorado, Cheyenne County, Kansas, Rawlins County, Kansas, Chase County, Nebraska, Hayes County, Nebraska, and Hitchcock County, Nebraska. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Dundy 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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