Oldham County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

178
Farms & Ranches
896K
Acres in Agriculture
5,034
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$89.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Wheat, Sorghum, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Oldham County, Texas has 178 farms working 896,031 agricultural acres (average 5,034 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $89.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Wheat. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

← Texas Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Oldham County

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

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Oldham County sees 17.5 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 57.9°F mean annual temperature.

Oldham County carries 10,733 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 763,640 acres. 178 farms operate in the county, averaging 5,034 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionTexas Panhandle
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Wheat, Grain sorghum

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 4+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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 Oldham County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

906 Main St, Vega, TX 79092

(806) 267-2429

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 Oldham County Operations

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

Rangeland health, Canadian River breaks, feedlot waste management, and wind erosion.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Prescribed grazing, waste management, brush management, windbreak establishment, and livestock water development.

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 Oldham County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Quay County, New Mexico, Deaf Smith County, Texas, Hartley County, Texas, Moore County, Texas, Potter County, Texas, and Randall County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Oldham 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 FencingEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.25
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.46
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Oldham 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.