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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Day County
Day County sits within the Prairie Coteau (MLRA 102D) region. Elevation averages about 1,835 feet.
Temperatures in Day County range from a January mean low of 2°F to a July mean high near 81°F. Annual precipitation averages 23.7 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Day County ran 584 farms, 477,100 acres of farmland, and 13,324 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Horses, Sheep, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Day County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
600 E Highway 12, Webster, SD 57274
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 Day County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 14% of farmland in Day County, about 67,673 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in August. 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 Day County
Farms in Day County average 817 acres, and about 8% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 188 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Day County
Day County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Day County Operations
Based on Day County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs focus heavily on wetland conservation and wildlife habitat enhancement in the prairie pothole ecosystem. CRP and EQIP coordination provides both environmental benefits and agricultural income stability.
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 Brown County, South Dakota, Clark County, South Dakota, Codington County, South Dakota, Grant County, South Dakota, Marshall County, South Dakota, and Roberts County, South Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Day County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the South Dakota guide: South Dakota Farm Programs Guide
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