Gray County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

287
Farms & Ranches
542K
Acres in Agriculture
1,887
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$186.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Corn, Field Crops, Other, Cotton
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Gray County, Texas has 287 farms working 541,538 agricultural acres (average 1,887 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $186.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, 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 Gray County

Gray County is part of the Southern High Plains, Breaks land resource region (MLRA 77E).

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Gray County sees 22.7 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 58.6°F mean annual temperature.

Gray County carries 28,240 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 391,689 acres. 287 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,887 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionTexas Panhandle
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Corn, Cotton, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

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 Gray County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

12125 E Frederic Ave, Pampa, TX 79065

(806) 665-1751

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 Gray County Operations

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

Irrigation efficiency (Ogallala), soil health, feedlot waste management, and wind erosion.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Irrigation water management, cover crops, residue management, waste management, and windbreak establishment.

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 Gray County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Armstrong County, Texas, Carson County, Texas, Collingsworth County, Texas, Donley County, Texas, Hemphill County, Texas, and Roberts County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Gray 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 DevelopmentCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.27
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.55
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Gray 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.