EQIP Program in Wilbarger County

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers cost share assistance to agricultural producers to implement on-farm conservation practices.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) determines eligible producers for the EQIP program and determines eligible land.  Eligible producers may apply for cost share assistance on conservation practices that will address the resource concerns identified by the Local Work Group (LWG).

Wilbarger County Office Information

Interested agricultural producers may apply in person at the Wilbarger County USDA Service Center. Applicants may also request EQIP assistance by telephone, Fax, e-mail, or letter.

State Resource Concerns Priority Areas that include part of Wilbarger County:

Objective:

County Base Fund

The objective of Wilbarger County Environmental Quality Incentives Program EQIP Local Work Group LWG is to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county with major emphasis on erosion control. Converting cropland to permanent grass, range planting and pasture planting, will be given the highest consideration for contract funding. Other practices including livestock water development, brush management and fencing are also eligible and will have a positive effect on soil conservation.

Seymour Aquifer Special Emphasis Area

Converting existing pivots to more efficient irrigation systems includes additional drops and nozzles and replacement of existing, leaky pipelines will be given the highest consideration for contract funding.  Other practices including installation of chemigation valve as part of an irrigation system, and new pivot conversion from a furrow, side roll, or standard pivot system will have a positive effect on water savings.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

County Base Fund

In Wilbarger County for EQIP 2007, the Local Work Group has identified Cropland needing conservation applied to improve soil quality and Grazing land needing conservation applied to protect the resource base as the major resource concerns.

Seymour Aquifer Special Emphasis Area

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

County Base Fund

Limited Resource Producers - 90 percent
All other Producers - 50 percent

Cost share basis will be practice based, when applicable, according to average cost.
The following practices are the only eligible cost share practices as identified in the Field Office Technical Guide -

Pasture Planting 512 - includes seedbed preparation, sprigs and sprigging operation or seed and seeding operation, fertilizer for establishment and weed control.

Range Planting 550 - includes seedbed preparation, seed and seeding operation, fertilizer for establishment and weed control on cropland fields and raking, seed and seeding operation following brush managemnt.

Pond 378

Water Well 642

Livestock Water Pipeline 516

Livestock Water Trough 614

Brush Management 314 - Chemical Suppression

Fence 382 - 4 wire barbed or better

No partial payments will be paid. Invoices are required for all work performed so as to keep average cost data updated. A current soils analysis is required on all grass plantings for fertilizer establishment needs.

Seymour Aquifer Special Emphasis Area

Limited Resource Producers - 90 percent
All other Producers - 50 percent

Cost share basis will be practice based, when applicable, according to average cost.

The following practices are the only eligible cost share practices as identified in the Field Office Technical Guide -

Irrigation System, sprinkler 442  - This will be conversion of an existing pivot system to meet either LESA, LPIC, or MESA. Includes additional drops and re-nozzling.

Irrigation System, sprinkler 442  - This will be a new pivot to replace an existing system such as a side roll, furrow, or standard pivot. Must meet LESA, LPIC, or MESA.

Irrigation System, sprinkler 442 - Chemigation Valve

- This will be installing a valve on an existing pivot system or on a new replacement system as needed.

Irrigation Water Conveyance, Pipeline, High Pressure, Underground, Plastic 430DD

No partial payments will be paid. Invoices are required for all work performed so as to keep average cost data updated.

Ranking Criteria:

County Base Fund

Evaluation will emphasize the primary resource concern. Points will be awarded for EQIP cost-shared practices only. Application will be ranked according to amount of points from highest to lowest until funds are exhausted. The Ranking Score will equal the total practice points divided by the number of practices on each application. Ranking ties will be broken by using ProTracts Random Number.

High Priority

1. Conversion of Cropland to Grass - 100 points
   
2. Water Development- 75 points
   
3. Brush Management - 50 points
   
4. Fence - 25 points

*Points are not cumulative.

Seymour Aquifer Special Emphasis Area

Evaluation will emphasize the primary resource concern. Points will be awarded for EQIP cost share practices only. Application will be ranked according to amount of points from highest to lowest until funds are exhausted. There will be one worksheet per practice applied for. Ranking ties will be broken by using ProTracts Random Number. Eligibility requirements are - Irrigation history of 2 out of past 5 years and existing system must provide a minimum of 3 gallons per minute per acre. New pivots that receive funding must stay on the land for the life span of the practice, which is 15 years.

High Priority

1. Existing pivot conversion to meet LESA, LPIC, or MESA. This includes additional drops and nozzles, and a chemigation valve if needed.
   100 Points
   
2. Underground Pipeline
   75 Points
   
3. New pivot conversion from furrow or side roll, to meet LESA, LPIC, or MESA. This includes new or replacement pipelines if needed, and a chemigation valve if needed
   50 Points
   
4. Replace a standard pivot with a new and more efficient pivot to meet LESA, LPIC or MESA
   25 Point