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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Quay County
Quay County lies in the Pecos and Canadian River Basins (MLRA 70B) region. Elevation averages about 4,016 feet.
Quay County averages 16.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 57.8°F.
Quay County's agricultural base centers on cattle, sorghum, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 592 farms working 1,834,958 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 4,126 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | East-Central New Mexico |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Grain sorghum, Horses, Sheep, Goats, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 25+ 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 Quay County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
101 S Stearns, Fort Sumner, NM 88119
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
706 S 1st St, Tucumcari, NM 88401
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Quay County
Quay County reported 4,126 head of cattle across roughly 1,602,365 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows June green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Quay County.
Farm Structure in Quay County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Quay County, roughly 10,488 acres. Farms average 3,100 acres, with about 5% classed as small operations. Around 29% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Quay County
Quay County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and sorghum. 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 Quay County Operations
Based on Quay County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Dryland farming assistance focuses on soil health and moisture conservation practices adapted to variable precipitation patterns. Grassland conservation programs maintain range health for extensive cattle operations in semi-arid high plains conditions.
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
Counties Bordering Quay County
Quay County shares borders with Curry County, New Mexico, De Baca County, New Mexico, Guadalupe County, New Mexico, Harding County, New Mexico, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, and San Miguel County, New Mexico. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Quay County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the New Mexico guide: New Mexico Farm Programs Guide
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