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.

Programs likely to fit Oldham County operations

With 178 farms averaging 5,034 acres, a cattle and grain commodity base, vegetation peaking near Jun at 0.46 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← 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: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 25+ 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 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.

Forage and Grazing in Oldham County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Oldham County greening up around May and peaking in June. The county carries about 763,640 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.

Farm Structure in Oldham County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Oldham County at an average farm size of 5,034 acres, 3% small operations, 31% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 8,686 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.

What Tends to Fit in Oldham County

Oldham County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and wheat. 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 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.