Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About DeWitt County
DeWitt County sits within the Northern Rio Grande Plain (MLRA 83A) region. Elevation averages about 225 feet.
Temperatures in DeWitt County range from a January mean low of 43°F to a July mean high near 95°F. Annual precipitation averages 35.4 inches.
DeWitt County ran 1,533 farms, 411,339 acres of farmland, and 3,979 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, deer, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Texas / Coastal Plains |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Hay, Poultry, Corn, Oil & gas |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 DeWitt County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1135 N Esplanade St, Cuero, TX 77954
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 DeWitt County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 75% of farmland in DeWitt County, about 307,604 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March 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 DeWitt County
Farms in DeWitt County average 268 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 30% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,118 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in DeWitt County
DeWitt County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, deer, 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 row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for DeWitt County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of DeWitt County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture and rangeland improvement, water quality, and livestock infrastructure.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, brush management, livestock water development, 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 Goliad County, Texas, Gonzales County, Texas, Karnes County, Texas, Lavaca County, Texas, and Victoria County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in DeWitt 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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