Taylor County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

1,222
Farms & Ranches
366K
Acres in Agriculture
299
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$9.7M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Wheat, Field Crops, Other, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Taylor County, Texas has 1,222 farms working 365,679 agricultural acres (average 299 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $9.7 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Wheat. Vegetation typically peaks in Oct, 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 Taylor County

Taylor County is part of the Central Rolling Red Plains, Eastern Part land resource region (MLRA 78C).

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Taylor County sees 25.5 in of rain, a 64.3°F mean annual temperature.

Taylor County carries 1,016 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 175,859 acres. 1,222 farms operate in the county, averaging 299 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionRolling Plains / West Central Texas
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Wheat, Horses, Goats, Poultry, Sheep

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 Taylor County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

4400 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, TX 79606

(325) 692-8238

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 Taylor County Operations

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

Rangeland health, brush management, soil health, and water quality.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed grazing, cover crops, cross-fencing, 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 Taylor County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Callahan County, Texas, Coleman County, Texas, Fisher County, Texas, Jones County, Texas, Nolan County, Texas, and Runnels County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Taylor 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 DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementCRPEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.54
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.67
Peak season (Oct)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Taylor 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.