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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Custer County
Custer County sits within the Central Rolling Red Plains, Eastern Part (MLRA 78C) region. Elevation averages about 1,752 feet.
Temperatures in Custer County range from a January mean low of 25°F to a July mean high near 95°F. Annual precipitation averages 28.7 inches. Expect about 303 frost-free days.
Custer County ran 800 farms, 630,316 acres of farmland, and 61,747 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Oklahoma |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Hogs, Cotton, Corn, Grain sorghum |
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 Custer County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1725 S Us Highway 183, Clinton, OK 73601
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 Custer County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 57% of farmland in Custer County, about 356,865 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around November and forage peaks in April. 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 Custer County
Farms in Custer County average 788 acres, and about 10% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 12,123 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Custer County
Custer County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and wheat. 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 confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Custer County Operations
Based on Custer County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Dual-purpose wheat management optimizes both cattle grazing and grain harvest through carefully timed grazing systems. Cotton and peanut conservation practices address wind erosion and soil health in the sandy soil areas.
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 Beckham County, Oklahoma, Blaine County, Oklahoma, Caddo County, Oklahoma, Dewey County, Oklahoma, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, and Washita County, Oklahoma. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Custer County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Oklahoma guide: Oklahoma Farm Programs Guide
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