Last updated April 2026
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Texas Farm Programs: Brush Management, Livestock Water & Drought Aid

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

Quick Facts
Farms & Ranches ~247,000 (2022 USDA Census, most in the US)
Top Commodities Cattle & calves (#1 in US), cotton, dairy, corn, hay, wheat, sorghum
Total Ag Land ~127 million acres (most in the US)
Average Farm Size ~514 acres
EQIP FY2026 Deadline Varies by area, contact your local NRCS office for current batching dates
CSP FY2026 Deadline Varies by area, contact your local NRCS office for current batching dates
State NRCS Office (254) 742-9800 · Temple, TX

Federal Programs in Texas

Federal programs like EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans are available nationwide, but how they work in practice varies by state. Each state sets its own EQIP priorities, ranking criteria, and application deadlines. Below is how the federal programs apply specifically in Texas. For full details on any program, read the federal program guides.

EQIP in Texas

Texas receives one of the largest EQIP allocations in the country, reflecting its enormous agricultural land base. With nearly 250,000 farms and ranches, competition for EQIP is real but so is the available funding.

Texas EQIP Priorities:

  • Rangeland and pasture improvement (statewide, Texas's #1 agricultural priority)
  • Brush management (particularly mesquite and juniper across western and central TX)
  • Livestock water development (critical in west Texas and the Panhandle)
  • Soil health on cropland
  • Irrigation water conservation (Ogallala Aquifer region, Panhandle and High Plains)
  • Wildlife habitat (quail, deer, lesser prairie-chicken in western TX)
  • Water quality in impaired watersheds

Livestock-Specific Practices Commonly Funded:

  • Cross-fencing for rotational grazing
  • Brush management (mesquite removal, huge demand)
  • Livestock water development (wells, pipelines, tanks, critical in arid regions)
  • Prescribed grazing systems
  • Rangeland seeding and restoration
  • Heavy use area protection
  • Riparian and stream protection
  • Prescribed burning (increasingly funded for rangeland management)

EQIP in Texas: What to Ask About: Texas NRCS identifies brush management and water quantity as priority resource concerns. In the western half of the state, particularly the Edwards Plateau and Rolling Plains, mesquite and prickly pear encroachment on rangeland is a major focus. In the Panhandle and South Plains, NRCS offers a dedicated Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative through the Working Lands for Wildlife program, which has its own EQIP funding pool, ask your local office whether your operation falls in the initiative area. Texas also uses an “ACT NOW” process for some EQIP funding pools, which may allow qualified applications to be approved without waiting for the next ranking cycle. Check with your district conservationist about which pools are using ACT NOW in your area.

→ Read the full EQIP guide

CSP in Texas

Given the size of Texas ranches, CSP payments can be substantial. A ranch with thousands of acres of managed rangeland receiving even modest per-acre payments generates significant annual income.

Popular enhancements for Texas ranches:

  • Prescribed burn management
  • Brush management maintenance
  • Adaptive grazing strategies
  • Wildlife habitat management (quail-friendly practices are popular)
  • Drought preparedness planning
  • Monitoring rangeland health

→ Read the full CSP guide

CRP in Texas

Texas has significant CRP enrollment, particularly in the Panhandle (formerly plowed grassland) and the Rolling Plains. Rental rates vary enormously, from $15–$25/acre in far west Texas to $40–$80+ in more productive areas.

SAFE (State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement): Available for lesser prairie-chicken habitat in the Panhandle and other priority wildlife in parts of Texas.

FSA Programs in Texas

Texas ranchers should be especially familiar with disaster programs given the state's exposure to drought, wildfire, hurricanes, and flooding:

Key disaster considerations:

  • Drought: Texas counties are frequently in D2-D4 drought conditions. LFP triggers regularly in western and southern TX. Monitor the Drought Monitor weekly.
  • Wildfire: Major wildfire risk across western and central Texas. Recent Panhandle wildfires have devastated operations. ELAP can reimburse grazing losses and increased feed costs. LIP can cover documented livestock deaths. ECP can cost-share fence and infrastructure repair.
  • Hurricanes and flooding: Gulf Coast and eastern Texas. ECP for farmland repair. ELAP for livestock-related losses.
  • Extreme heat: LIP can cover livestock death from heat events if documented and reported within the LIP filing window.

Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP): In recent years, USDA has announced specific emergency programs for Texas producers affected by major disasters. Stay connected with your FSA office for announcements, eligibility windows can be short.

Texas FSA State Office: (254) 742-9700

Texas-Specific Programs

These programs are funded and run by the state of Texas, not the federal government. They can often be stacked with federal programs like EQIP for additional cost-share assistance. Your local USDA office may or may not know about these, contact the state agencies directly.

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB)

The TSSWCB administers several programs through Texas's 216 Soil and Water Conservation Districts:

Water Supply Enhancement Program (WSEP):

  • State-funded brush management program specifically designed to increase water yield from Texas watersheds
  • Focuses on removal of mesquite, cedar (juniper), and other brush that consumes groundwater
  • Cost-share payments for brush removal
  • Can stack with EQIP brush management in some cases, talk to both your NRCS office and your local SWCD

Flood Control Dam Maintenance:

  • TSSWCB maintains flood control structures; producers near these structures may benefit from related conservation programs

Water Quality Management Plans:

  • Required for certain agricultural operations near impaired water bodies
  • Technical and financial assistance available through SWCDs
  • Developing a WQMP can also improve your EQIP ranking for water quality practices

Find your SWCD: tsswcb.texas.gov/conservation-districts

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

Landowner Incentive Program:

  • Technical assistance for wildlife habitat management on private land
  • TPWD wildlife biologists available to help develop wildlife management plans
  • A wildlife management plan can make your property eligible for agricultural property tax valuation even without traditional agricultural use
  • Wildlife habitat enhancements may align with EQIP priorities

Managed Lands Programs:

  • Deer and wildlife management cooperatives
  • Technical guidance from TPWD biologists

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)

Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA):

  • Loan guarantee programs for agricultural operations
  • Young Farmer Grant Program, grants up to $20,000 for beginning farmers
  • Agricultural Loan programs through commercial lenders with TDA guarantees

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

  • County extension offices statewide
  • Workshops on USDA programs, ranch management, financial planning
  • Master Rancher Program, intensive ranch management training
  • Can connect you with NRCS and FSA resources

Texas Tax Provisions for Ag

  • No state income tax: Texas has no state income tax. EQIP and CSP payments are subject only to federal income tax, significant advantage.
  • Agricultural property tax valuation: Texas offers both agricultural (1-d-1) and open-space agricultural valuation, which assesses land at productive value rather than market value. Changing land use can trigger a "rollback" tax, plan carefully.
  • Wildlife management valuation: Land managed for wildlife under an approved wildlife management plan can qualify for the same property tax valuation as agricultural land. This creates interesting options for ranchers transitioning land use.
  • Sales tax exemptions: Agricultural equipment and supplies purchased for farm use are exempt from Texas sales tax with a valid ag/timber registration number (from the Texas Comptroller).
  • No state estate tax: Texas does not impose a state estate tax. Important for ranch succession.
  • Franchise tax: Texas has a franchise (margin) tax on business entities. Agricultural operations structured as LLCs or corporations should ensure they're properly claiming deductions and exemptions.

RCPP in Texas

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds conservation projects through partnerships between NRCS and local organizations. RCPP projects vary by state and year — check with your local NRCS office or visit the RCPP page for current projects in your area.

ACEP in Texas

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners protect farmland and wetlands through conservation easements. Two components: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) protect working farmland, and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) restore and protect wetlands. Contact your local NRCS office for current enrollment.

Resources

USDA Offices

  • Texas NRCS State Office: 101 S. Main St., Temple, TX 76501 · (254) 742-9800
  • Texas FSA State Office: 2405 Texas Ave. S., College Station, TX 77840 · (254) 742-9700
  • Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator

State Resources

Key Deadlines (FY2026)

Program Deadline Notes
EQIP Primary Batching Varies by area, contact your local NRCS office TX has multiple area deadlines
CSP Ranking Varies by area, contact your local NRCS office Varies by area
CRP Continuous practices always open General sign-up when announced
LFP Automatic West TX counties frequently qualify
LIP/ELAP 30 days after loss Report immediately, don't wait
WSEP (state brush program) Check with local SWCD Varies

Tools for Texas Ranchers

Run the numbers before your next USDA visit. Each tool takes 2–3 minutes.

EQIP Cost Estimator → PRF Rainfall Analysis → Drought Dashboard → Deadline Calendar → Emergency Triage → Program Screener →

County Guides (254 counties)

Each county guide includes local USDA office information, relevant programs, and conservation priorities specific to that area.

Andersoncattle, equine, equine · 1,741 farms Andrewscattle, cotton, equine · 149 farms Angelinacattle, equine, equine · 838 farms Aransascattle, equine, equine · 79 farms Archermilk, corn, cotton · 457 farms Armstrongcotton, sorghum, equine · 184 farms Atascosacattle, corn, equine · 1,673 farms Austincattle, equine, equine · 1,930 farms Baileycattle, milk, corn · 389 farms Banderacattle, goats, goats · 723 farms Bastropcattle, sod, equine · 1,871 farms Baylorcattle, wheat, cotton · 229 farms Beecattle, cotton, corn · 743 farms Bellcorn, cattle, wheat · 2,330 farms Bexarcattle, equine, equine · 2,107 farms Blancocattle, flowering plants, potted, equine · 776 farms Bordencotton, cattle, wheat · 102 farms Bosquecattle, equine, equine · 1,384 farms Bowiecattle, equine, equine · 1,267 farms Brazoriarice, cattle, corn · 2,538 farms Brazoscattle, equine, equine · 1,103 farms Brewstercattle, foliage plants, cotton · 205 farms Briscoecattle, cotton, wheat · 152 farms Brookscattle, goats, goats · 317 farms Browncattle, equine, equine · 1,680 farms Burlesoncattle, corn, cotton · 1,528 farms Burnetcattle, goats, goats · 1,428 farms Caldwellcattle, corn, sorghum · 1,329 farms Calhouncattle, corn, cotton · 257 farms Callahancattle, equine, equine · 1,050 farms Cameroncotton, sorghum, corn · 1,248 farms Campcattle, goats, goats · 416 farms Carsoncorn, cotton, sorghum · 367 farms Casscattle, equine, equine · 939 farms Castrocattle, milk, corn · 415 farms Chambersrice, cattle, sod · 491 farms Cherokeecattle, flowering plants, potted, cut flowers & cut cultivated greens · 1,411 farms Childresscotton, cattle, equine · 334 farms Claycattle, milk, equine · 881 farms Cochrancotton, sorghum, corn · 349 farms Cokecattle, goats, goats · 433 farms Colemancattle, wheat, cotton · 1,071 farms Collincattle, wheat, corn · 2,330 farms Collingsworthcotton, cattle, wheat · 285 farms Coloradorice, cattle, corn · 1,702 farms Comalgoats, goats, equine · 888 farms Comanchemilk, cattle, sod · 1,500 farms Conchocotton, cattle, wheat · 400 farms Cookecattle, equine, equine · 2,188 farms Coryellcattle, corn, wheat · 1,435 farms Cottlecattle, cotton, sheep · 258 farms Cranecattle, equine, equine · 44 farms Crockettcattle, goats, goats · 275 farms Crosbycotton, cattle, corn · 440 farms Culbersongoats, goats · 73 farms Dallamcattle, corn, sorghum · 323 farms Dallascattle, corn, equine · 647 farms Dawsoncotton, cattle, sorghum · 518 farms DeWitt Deaf Smithcattle, milk, corn · 663 farms Deltacattle, wheat, corn · 433 farms Dentonequine, equine, wheat · 2,936 farms Dickenscattle, cotton, equine · 498 farms Dimmitcattle, equine, equine · 211 farms Donleycattle, cotton, corn · 333 farms Duvalcattle, deer, equine · 1,044 farms Eastlandcattle, equine, equine · 1,210 farms Ectorcattle, equine, equine · 178 farms Edwardscattle, goats, goats · 456 farms El Pasocotton, cattle, honey · 581 farms Elliscattle, corn, wheat · 2,563 farms Erathmilk, cattle, equine · 2,400 farms Fallscattle, corn, wheat · 1,146 farms Fannincattle, wheat, corn · 2,108 farms Fayettecattle, corn, deer · 2,905 farms Fishercattle, cotton, wheat · 558 farms Floydcotton, corn, sorghum · 457 farms Foardcattle, wheat · 184 farms Fort Bendcattle, rice, cotton · 1,233 farms Franklincattle, milk, sheep · 505 farms Freestonecattle, equine, goats · 1,291 farms Friocattle, corn, wheat · 592 farms Gainescotton, corn, wheat · 624 farms Galvestoncattle, equine, equine · 563 farms Garzacotton, cattle, equine · 251 farms Gillespiecattle, sheep, equine · 2,021 farms Glasscockcotton, cattle, corn · 188 farms Goliadcattle, corn, equine · 1,092 farms Gonzalescattle, corn, deer · 1,870 farms Graycattle, corn, cotton · 287 farms Graysoncattle, wheat, equine · 2,851 farms Greggcattle, equine, equine · 403 farms Grimescattle, deer, equine · 1,668 farms Guadalupecattle, corn, goats · 2,369 farms Halecattle, milk, cotton · 779 farms Hallcotton, cattle, equine · 407 farms Hamiltonmilk, cattle, equine · 964 farms Hansfordcorn, cotton, wheat · 137 farms Hardemanwheat, cotton, corn · 315 farms Hardincattle, honey, equine · 606 farms Harrissod, cattle, equine · 1,531 farms Harrisoncattle, equine, equine · 1,015 farms Hartleycattle, milk, corn · 224 farms Haskellcotton, cattle, wheat · 518 farms Haysmushrooms, cattle, equine · 940 farms Hemphillcattle, hogs, equine · 213 farms Hendersoncattle, equine, equine · 1,891 farms Hidalgocotton, corn, cattle · 2,045 farms Hillcorn, cattle, wheat · 2,011 farms Hockleycotton, sorghum, corn · 897 farms Hoodsod, cattle, equine · 1,109 farms Hopkinsmilk, cattle, equine · 1,873 farms Houstoncattle, cotton, equine · 1,411 farms Howardcotton, cattle, equine · 407 farms Hudspethcotton, goats, goats · 162 farms Huntcattle, wheat, sod · 3,504 farms Hutchinsoncorn, cattle, cotton · 167 farms Irioncattle, goats, sheep · 160 farms Jackcattle, wheat, equine · 889 farms Jacksoncorn, cattle, cotton · 825 farms Jasperequine, equine, honey · 919 farms Jeff Davisgoats, goats, equine · 107 farms Jeffersoncattle, rice, honey · 612 farms Jim Hoggcattle, goats, goats · 208 farms Jim Wellscattle, sorghum, corn · 960 farms Johnsoncattle, milk, corn · 2,745 farms Jonescattle, wheat, cotton · 988 farms Karnescattle, deer, corn · 958 farms Kaufmancattle, equine, equine · 2,478 farms Kendallcattle, sheep, goats · 1,142 farms Kenedycattle · 30 farms Kentcattle, equine, cotton · 137 farms Kerrcattle, deer, goats · 987 farms Kimblecattle, goats, goats · 619 farms Kingcattle, equine, equine · 54 farms Kinneycattle, goats, honey · 190 farms Klebergcattle, cotton, sorghum · 380 farms Knoxcattle, wheat, cotton · 259 farms La Sallecattle, deer, equine · 344 farms Lamarcattle, corn, wheat · 1,865 farms Lambcattle, milk, cotton · 879 farms Lampasascattle, equine, equine · 1,076 farms Lavacacattle, rice, milk · 2,735 farms Leecattle, equine, equine · 1,720 farms Leoncattle, deer, equine · 1,597 farms Libertycattle, rice, sod · 1,321 farms Limestonecattle, equine, equine · 1,263 farms Lipscombcattle, wheat, corn · 283 farms Live Oakcattle, deer, equine · 793 farms Llanocattle, equine, equine · 798 farms Lovingsorghum · 11 farms Lubbockcotton, corn, equine · 1,286 farms Lynncotton, cattle, corn · 512 farms Madisoncattle, goats, sheep · 819 farms Marioncattle, goats, honey · 244 farms Martincotton, cattle, goats · 395 farms Masoncattle, deer, goats · 650 farms Matagordasod, cattle, rice · 814 farms Maverickgoats, goats, cotton · 234 farms McCullochcattle, wheat, deer · 562 farms McLennancattle, corn, milk · 3,140 farms McMullencattle, deer, equine · 171 farms Medinacattle, corn, cotton · 2,204 farms Menardcattle, goats, sheep · 374 farms Midlandcattle, corn, cotton · 349 farms Milamcattle, corn, cotton · 2,048 farms Millscattle, sheep, goats · 874 farms Mitchellcattle, cotton, wheat · 459 farms Montaguecattle, equine, equine · 1,644 farms Montgomerycattle, equine, equine · 1,299 farms Moorecattle, milk, corn · 218 farms Morriscattle, honey, goats · 335 farms Motleycotton, cattle, equine · 213 farms Nacogdochescattle, equine, equine · 1,014 farms Navarrocattle, corn, cotton · 2,213 farms Newtoncattle, equine, goats · 426 farms Nolancattle, cotton, wheat · 443 farms Nuecescotton, sorghum, corn · 549 farms Ochiltreecorn, wheat, sorghum · 285 farms Oldhamcattle, wheat, sorghum · 178 farms Orangecattle, equine, equine · 513 farms Palo Pintocattle, equine, equine · 1,147 farms Panolacattle, equine, equine · 744 farms Parkerequine, equine, cattle · 4,379 farms Parmercattle, corn, sorghum · 477 farms Pecoscattle, cotton, sheep · 249 farms Polkcattle, equine, equine · 594 farms Pottercattle, cotton, equine · 243 farms Presidiogoats, goats, equine · 147 farms Rainscattle, milk, equine · 631 farms Randallcattle, corn, sorghum · 843 farms Reagancattle, sheep, goats · 91 farms Realcattle, goats, sheep · 212 farms Red Rivercattle, wheat, cotton · 1,041 farms Reevescattle, equine, equine · 150 farms Refugiocotton, cattle, sorghum · 315 farms Robertscorn, sorghum, wheat · 119 farms Robertsoncattle, milk, corn · 1,351 farms Rockwallcattle, equine, equine · 359 farms Runnelscattle, cotton, wheat · 1,039 farms Ruskcattle, foliage plants, flowering plants, potted · 1,309 farms Sabinecattle, equine, equine · 173 farms San Augustinecattle, equine, equine · 227 farms San Jacintocattle, equine, equine · 588 farms San Patriciocotton, sorghum, corn · 620 farms San Sabacattle, sheep, goats · 865 farms Schleichercattle, sheep, corn · 353 farms Scurrycotton, wheat, equine · 685 farms Shackelfordcattle, wheat, equine · 208 farms Shelbycattle, hogs, equine · 799 farms Shermancattle, corn, cotton · 282 farms Smithcattle, equine, equine · 2,495 farms Somervellcattle, goats, goats · 320 farms Starrcattle, sorghum, corn · 1,126 farms Stephenscattle, corn, soybeans · 454 farms Sterlingcattle, sheep, goats · 70 farms Stonewallcattle, cotton, equine · 344 farms Suttoncattle, goats, goats · 289 farms Swishercattle, cotton, corn · 441 farms Tarrantcattle, equine, equine · 1,000 farms Taylorcattle, wheat, equine · 1,222 farms Terrellcattle, goats, sheep · 60 farms Terrycotton, wheat, corn · 669 farms Throckmortoncattle, cotton, equine · 185 farms Tituscattle, equine, goats · 687 farms Tom Greencattle, cotton, corn · 1,392 farms Traviscattle, corn, equine · 870 farms Trinitycattle, equine, equine · 444 farms Tylercattle, equine, equine · 652 farms Upshurcattle, milk, equine · 1,373 farms Uptoncotton, goats, cattle · 101 farms Uvaldecattle, cotton, corn · 580 farms Val Verdecattle, goats, goats · 333 farms Van Zandtcattle, milk, equine · 3,206 farms Victoriacattle, corn, cotton · 1,412 farms Walkercattle, equine, equine · 1,222 farms Wallercattle, rice, equine · 1,545 farms Wardcattle, hogs, equine · 52 farms Washingtoncattle, hogs, equine · 2,137 farms Webbcattle, deer, goats · 659 farms Whartonrice, corn, cotton · 1,472 farms Wheelercotton, wheat, equine · 467 farms Wichitacattle, wheat, cotton · 632 farms Wilbargercattle, cotton, wheat · 374 farms Willacycotton, sorghum, corn · 345 farms Williamsoncorn, cattle, deer · 2,352 farms Wilsoncattle, corn, cotton · 2,503 farms Winklercattle · 38 farms Wisecattle, deer, foliage plants · 3,528 farms Woodcattle, milk, equine · 1,357 farms Yoakumcotton, cattle, corn · 276 farms Youngcattle, wheat, equine · 873 farms Zapatacattle, goats, goats · 305 farms Zavalacattle, wheat, corn · 212 farms

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Related: Disaster Assistance Guide

By Doug McCarty · Spencer Shadow Ranch, Oregon · Last updated 2026-04