Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cochran County
Cochran County sits within the Southern High Plains, Southern Part (MLRA 77C) region. Elevation averages about 3,809 feet.
Temperatures in Cochran County range from a January mean low of 26°F to a July mean high near 93°F. Annual precipitation averages 16.9 inches. Expect about 303 frost-free days.
Cochran County ran 349 farms, 434,001 acres of farmland, and 2,335 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, sorghum, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Plains |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Grain sorghum, Corn, Cattle & calves, Goats, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Cochran County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1741 State Highway 114, Morton, TX 79346
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 Cochran County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 30% of farmland in Cochran County, about 130,346 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 Cochran County
Farms in Cochran County average 1,244 acres, and about 2% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 66,668 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Cochran County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Cochran County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Cochran County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Cochran County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Irrigation efficiency (Ogallala Aquifer), wind erosion, soil health on sandy soils.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Irrigation water management, cover crops, residue management, windbreak establishment, 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Lea County, New Mexico, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, Bailey County, Texas, Hockley County, Texas, Lamb County, Texas, and Terry County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Cochran 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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