Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Bailey County
Bailey County sits within the Southern High Plains, Southern Part (MLRA 77C) region. Elevation averages about 3,903 feet.
Temperatures in Bailey County range from a January mean low of 24°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 17.8 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Bailey County ran 389 farms, 529,253 acres of farmland, and 79,326 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, milk, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Plains |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Corn, Cotton, Grain sorghum, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3).
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 Bailey County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
111 E Avenue D, Muleshoe, TX 79347
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 Bailey County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 56% of farmland in Bailey County, about 298,065 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around July 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 Bailey County
Farms in Bailey County average 1,361 acres, and about 13% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 39,702 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Bailey County
Bailey County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, milk, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and 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 Bailey County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Bailey County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Irrigation efficiency (Ogallala Aquifer depletion is critical), wind erosion, soil health on irrigated and dryland cropland.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Irrigation water management (pivot conversions, LEPA/LESA), cover crops, residue management, windbreak establishment, and nutrient management.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. It takes 2 minutes and generates a personalized action packet you can print and bring to your USDA office.
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 Curry County, New Mexico, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, Cochran County, Texas, Hockley County, Texas, Lamb County, Texas, and Parmer County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Bailey County
- Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
- Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
- Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide
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