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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Loup County
Elevation across Loup County averages about 2,436 feet. The county falls within the Nebraska Sand Hills (MLRA 65) land resource region.
The growing season in Loup County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 25.3 inches per year. January lows average around 13°F while July highs reach about 87°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 93 farms in Loup County, operating across 253,891 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 2,730 acres. Top commodities include cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Horses, Sheep, Poultry |
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 Loup County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
415 Grand Ave, Burwell, NE 68823
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1614 N 28th St, Ord, NE 68862
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 Loup County
The forage year in Loup County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 230,607 acres of pastureland and 10,792 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Loup County
About 41% of Loup County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 5% of farms are small and 31% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 2,730 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Loup County
Loup 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 Loup County Operations
Based on Loup County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CSP rewards ranchers for maintaining high-quality native grassland and implementing rotational grazing systems. EQIP supports infrastructure improvements including stock water systems and cross-fencing to improve grazing management.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Loup County: Blaine County, Nebraska, Brown County, Nebraska, Custer County, Nebraska, Garfield County, Nebraska, Holt County, Nebraska, and Rock County, Nebraska. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Loup 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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