Davison County, South Dakota: USDA programs and conservation funding

406
Farms & Ranches
224K
Acres in Agriculture
552
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$14.9M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Hogs, Soybeans, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Davison County, South Dakota has 406 farms working 223,994 agricultural acres (average 552 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $14.9 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Hogs. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Davison County

Davison County lies in the Southern Black Glaciated Plains (MLRA 55C) region. Elevation averages about 1,394 feet.

Davison County averages 25.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 46.9°F.

Davison County's agricultural base centers on corn, hogs, and soybeans. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 406 farms working 223,994 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 5,777 head.


Quick Facts

RegionEast Central
Top CommoditiesCorn, Hogs, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Dairy

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 4+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Davison County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1820 N Kimball St, Mitchell, SD 57301

(605) 996-1564

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.


Programs for Davison County Operations

Based on Davison County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Programs emphasize nutrient management and soil health in intensive crop and livestock operations. Strong focus on manure management and precision agriculture adoption to optimize productivity and environmental protection.

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 Davison County

Davison County shares borders with Aurora County, South Dakota, Douglas County, South Dakota, Hanson County, South Dakota, Hutchinson County, South Dakota, and Sanborn County, South Dakota. 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 Davison County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the South Dakota guide: South Dakota Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

CSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.24
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.83
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Davison County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.