Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Motley County is located in the Rolling Plains / Caprock region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Rolling Plains / Caprock agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Rolling Plains / Caprock |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Cattle & calves, Horses, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 35+ 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 Motley County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
James Stanley Bldg, 700 Dundee St, Matador, TX 79244
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 Motley County
Motley County reported 4,266 head of cattle across roughly 322,826 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a June growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Motley County.
Farm Structure in Motley County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Motley County, roughly 3,602 acres. Farms average 1,913 acres, with about 6% classed as small operations. Around 22% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Motley County
Motley County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cotton, cattle, and equine. 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 Motley County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Motley County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, Caprock breaks management, brush control, and playa conservation.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, playa lake restoration, 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
Counties Bordering Motley County
Motley County shares borders with Briscoe County, Texas, Cottle County, Texas, Crosby County, Texas, Dickens County, Texas, Floyd County, Texas, and Hall County, Texas. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Motley 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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