Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cottle County
Cottle County sits within the Central Rolling Red Plains, Western Part (MLRA 78B) region. Elevation averages about 2,000 feet.
Temperatures in Cottle County range from a January mean low of 29°F to a July mean high near 97°F. Annual precipitation averages 23.5 inches.
Cottle County ran 258 farms, 569,008 acres of farmland, and 4,867 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, cotton, and sheep.
Quick Facts
| Region | Rolling Plains |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Cotton, Sheep, Horses, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 31+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Cottle County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
920 Bray, W Hwy 70, Paducah, TX 79248
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 Cottle County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 81% of farmland in Cottle County, about 459,640 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. 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 Cottle County
Farms in Cottle County average 2,205 acres, and about 4% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,250 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Cottle County
With cattle and sheep in the mix in Cottle 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 Cottle County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Cottle County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland restoration, brush management, and cropland soil health.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed grazing, 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Childress County, Texas, Dickens County, Texas, Foard County, Texas, Hall County, Texas, Hardeman County, Texas, and King County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Cottle 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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