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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Red Willow County
Red Willow County sits within the Rolling Plains and Breaks (MLRA 73) region. Elevation averages about 2,549 feet.
Temperatures in Red Willow County range from a January mean low of 16°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 21.8 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Red Willow County ran 291 farms, 429,119 acres of farmland, and 20,333 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: Severe Drought (D2). 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 Red Willow County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1400 W 5th St, Mccook, NE 69001
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 Red Willow County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 47% of farmland in Red Willow County, about 203,098 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in July. 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 Red Willow County
Farms in Red Willow County average 1,475 acres, and about 12% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 44,647 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Red Willow County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Red Willow 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 Red Willow County Operations
Based on Red Willow County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports irrigation system improvements and dryland farming practices to optimize water use efficiency. CRP targets marginal cropland for grass establishment and provides habitat around Harlan County Reservoir.
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 Decatur County, Kansas, Rawlins County, Kansas, Frontier County, Nebraska, Furnas 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 Red Willow 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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