Baylor County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

229
Farms & Ranches
555K
Acres in Agriculture
2,424
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$45.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Wheat, Cotton, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Baylor County, Texas has 229 farms working 555,156 agricultural acres (average 2,424 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $45.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Wheat. Vegetation typically peaks in Jan, 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 Baylor County

Baylor County is part of the Central Rolling Red Plains, Eastern Part land resource region (MLRA 78C). The county's mean elevation is about 1,351 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Baylor County sees 27.5 in of rain, a 64.4°F mean annual temperature.

Baylor County carries 19,136 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 389,477 acres. 229 farms operate in the county, averaging 2,424 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionRolling Plains
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Wheat, Cotton, Horses, Goats, Sheep

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 23+ 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 Baylor County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

400 E Ingram St, Seymour, TX 76380

(940) 889-3164

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 Baylor County Operations

Based on the agricultural profile of Baylor County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:

Rangeland restoration, brush management (mesquite), and soil health on cropland. Lake Kemp watershed is a local priority.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed grazing, cross-fencing, cover crops, livestock water development, and range planting.

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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Baylor County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Archer County, Texas, Foard County, Texas, Haskell County, Texas, Knox County, Texas, Throckmorton County, Texas, and Wichita County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Baylor County

  1. Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide

Built by ranchers who’ve been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementCRPEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.50
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.58
Peak season (Jan)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Baylor 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.