Overview
Executive Summary
MT- Land & Cattle LLC is a cow/calf operation (142 head, 880 acres) formed in 2025 in Osage County, Kansas. The operation seeks $500K–$1M in capital to purchase additional land, expand the herd, and build rotational grazing infrastructure. The property has streams and wetlands and no existing NRCS conservation plan.
Critical advantage: As an LLC formed in 2025, MT- Land & Cattle qualifies as a Beginning Farmer/Rancher across all USDA programs — unlocking 90% cost share (vs. 75% standard), priority ranking, advance payments, and preferred loan rates.
At a Glance
Program Portfolio
| Program | Agency | Type | Est. Value | Deadline | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQIP | NRCS | Cost-share grant | $128K–$255K | FY2027 (fall 2026) | ⚡ Apply now |
| CSP | NRCS | Annual payments | $40K–$125K / 5 yr | FY2027 (fall 2026) | ⚡ Same visit |
| FSA Operating Loan | FSA | Low-interest loan | Up to $400K | Continuous | ⚡ Apply now |
| FSA Ownership Loan | FSA | Low-interest loan | Up to $600K | Continuous | ⚡ Apply now |
| LFP | FSA | Disaster payment | TBD | March 1, 2027 | 🔍 Verify |
| ELAP | FSA | Disaster payment | TBD | March 1, 2027 | 🔍 Verify |
| Total Potential | $768K–$1.38M+ | ||||
Where to Go
Office Contacts
Osage County NRCS Field Office
115 W 17th Street
Lyndon, KS 66451
Lyndon, KS 66451
(785) 828-4631
Programs: EQIP · CSP
Osage County FSA Service Center
Same building or adjacent to NRCS
Lyndon, KS — confirm when calling NRCS
Lyndon, KS — confirm when calling NRCS
Call NRCS to confirm
Programs: Operating Loan · Ownership Loan · LFP · ELAP · Farm Number
Program 1 of 6
EQIP — Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Program Details
| Cost Share | 90% (Beginning Farmer) |
| Contract Max | $450,000/year |
| Lifetime Max | $900,000 over 6 years |
| Payment Timing | Reimbursement after install; advance payment available |
Application Form
NRCS-CPA-1200 (October 2025)
Download at nrcs.usda.gov · Complete with NRCS staff at site visit
Key: Check Beginning Farmer or Rancher in Section 3b — unlocks 90% rate + advance payment eligibility.
Download at nrcs.usda.gov · Complete with NRCS staff at site visit
Key: Check Beginning Farmer or Rancher in Section 3b — unlocks 90% rate + advance payment eligibility.
Tier 1 — Core Bundle · Apply Together
Practice 528 — Grazing Management
Anchor practice. Required first — supports ranking for fencing and water system. NRCS writes the plan with you at no cost.
| Component | Unit | HU Rate (90%) | 880 Acres Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range, Standard | Ac | $8.91 | $7,841 |
| Range, Intensive | Ac | $21.72 | $19,114 |
| Livestock Deferment, Standard | Ac | $19.44 | $17,107 |
| Prescribed Grazing Mgmt, ≤5 Acres | Ac | $247.96 | — |
Recommended: Range, Intensive at $21.72/ac matches the paddock rotation system you're building. Est. payment: $19,114.
Practice 382 — Fence
Cross-fencing 880 acres into ~8 paddocks for rotational system. Highest-priority use of Practice 382 in Kansas.
| Component | Unit | HU Rate (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| Barbed or Smooth Wire, Multi-Strand | Ft | $3.04 |
| High Tensile, Electric, 5+ Wires | Ft | $3.27 |
| High Tensile, Electric, 4 Wires or Less | Ft | $2.46 |
| Woven Wire, 96 Inches | Ft | $7.73 |
| Virtual Fence, Startup Year 1, Base Cost | No | $10,023.57 |
| Virtual Fence, Startup Year 1, Implementation | No | $48.81/unit |
| Virtual Fence, Transmitter Station | No | $6,979.09 |
Est. payment: 15,000 lnft high-tensile electric (5+ wire) × $3.27/ft = $49,050. Ask NRCS about Virtual Fence eligibility for full paddock flexibility.
Practice 614 — Watering Facility
Every paddock needs water access. With streams on property, frost-free tanks at each paddock gate are required for the rotational system to function.
| Component | Unit | HU Rate (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| Frost Free Tank | No | $2,097.02 |
| Permanent, Large, Base Cost | No | $2,587.50 |
| Permanent, Large, Implementation | Gal | $0.81 |
| Permanent, Small, Base Cost | No | $847.23 |
| Permanent, Small, Implementation | Gal | $2.84 |
| Water Storage Tank, Base Cost | No | $1,407.61 |
| Insulated Tank with Cover | Gal | $4.30 |
Est. payment: 8 frost-free tanks × $2,097 = $16,776.
Practice 516 — Livestock Pipeline
Distributes water from source to paddock tanks. Essential if relying on a central well or rural water connection.
| Component | Unit | HU Rate (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| HDPE, Base Cost | No | $1,642.19 |
| HDPE, Implementation Cost | Lb | $5.05 |
| Rural Water Connection Equipment | Ea | $5,085.20 |
| Difficult Trenching Conditions | LnFt | $23.97 |
| Horizontal Boring | LnFt | $132.21 |
| PVC, Base Cost | No | $1,238.73 |
Tier 2 — High Priority
Practice 314 — Brush Management
Eastern red cedar encroachment is the dominant grazing land degradation issue in Osage County and the Flint Hills. Cedar control directly improves stocking rates. Kansas NRCS prioritizes this.
| Component | Unit | HU Rate (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Control, Ground Application | Ac | $31.38 |
| Chemical Control, Individual Plant Treatment | Ac | $44.60 |
| Mechanical Control for Large Shrubs, Medium Infestation | Ac | $378.89 |
| Mechanical Control, Hand Application | Ac | $71.26 |
| Mechanical Control, ≤1 Acre | Ac | $496.51 |
Est. payment range: 100–300 acres treated = $6,000–$75,000 depending on method.
Practice 561 — Heavy Use Area Protection
142 head concentrating around gates, water, and feed areas creates degraded zones affecting water quality. Client has streams on property — NRCS will flag this.
| Component | Unit | HU Rate (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| Rock/Gravel on Geotextile | SqFt | $2.81 |
| Reinforced Concrete, Base Cost | No | $1,631.19 |
| Reinforced Concrete, Implementation | CuYd | $582.20 |
Tier 3 — Secondary
Practice 590 — Nutrient Management
Streams/wetlands on property + water quality concern = ranking booster. 142 head generates significant nutrients.
| Component | Unit | HU Rate (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrient Management | Ac | $37.52 |
| Manure | Ac | $302.78 |
| Adaptive Nutrient Management | Ea | $2,847.73 |
Practice 512 — Pasture and Hay Planting
After cedar clearing (314), bare areas need reseeding. Plan as a follow-on after brush management.
| Component | Unit | HU Rate (90%) |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced Perennial Species | Ac | $351.20 |
| Native Perennial Species | Ac | $430.96 |
| Native Perennial Species, Low Input | Ac | $215.34 |
| Practice | Description | Est. HU Payment |
|---|---|---|
| 528 | Grazing Management, Intensive, 880 ac | $19,114 |
| 382 | Cross-fencing, 15,000 lnft high-tensile electric | $49,050 |
| 614 | 8 frost-free watering units | $16,776 |
| 516 | Pipeline system (rural water + distribution) | $30,000–$80,000 |
| 314 | Brush/cedar management, 100–300 ac | $6,000–$75,000 |
| 561 | Heavy use area protection, 3 sites | $8,000–$15,000 |
| EQIP Estimated Total | $128K–$255K | |
Program 2 of 6
CSP — Conservation Stewardship Program
Annual payments for maintaining and improving conservation activities. Apply at the same NRCS visit as EQIP — same form (CPA-1200), check both boxes. CSP and EQIP run simultaneously with no conflict.
| Operation Size | Annual Payment | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|
| Small ranch (50–200 head) | $4K–$10K/yr | $20K–$50K |
| Mid-size (142 head) ← | $8K–$25K/yr | $40K–$125K |
| Large (500+ head) | $15K–$40K/yr | $75K–$200K+ |
Top Enhancements for This Operation
- Intensive rotational grazing system
- Riparian buffer and stream exclusion fencing
- Drought-resilient grazing strategies
- Brush and invasive cedar management
- Pollinator habitat integration
MT- Land & Cattle likely qualifies: rotational grazing interest ✓ · streams requiring management ✓ · grazing land condition concern ✓
Program 3 of 6
FSA Direct Operating Loan
For operating capital — the stated need. Below-market fixed rate, continuous application cycle.
| Maximum Amount | $400,000 |
| Rate | Below-market, fixed (set monthly by USDA) |
| Use | Operating capital, livestock, equipment, minor improvements |
| Application | FSA-2001 or FSA Online Loan Application (OLA) |
Eligibility Status
- ✓ Beginning farmer/rancher (formed 2025)
- ✓ Gross income under $50K — demonstrates need
- ✓ Existing loan with Lyndon State Bank supports "unable to obtain more credit commercially" requirement
- ⚠ Entity requirement: all LLC members must be related OR both qualify independently as beginning farmers — confirm at FSA
Program 4 of 6
FSA Direct Farm Ownership Loan
For land purchase — matches the stated goal of acquiring more acreage to expand the herd. Down Payment Program requires only 5% down for beginning farmers.
| Maximum Amount | $600,000 |
| Down Payment Program | 5% down (beginning farmers) |
| FSA Covers | 45% of purchase price |
| Commercial Lender | 50% (Lyndon State Bank) |
| Application | FSA-2001 or FSA Online Loan Application (OLA) |
Eligibility Status
- ✓ Beginning farmer designation
- ✓ 3-year experience requirement: CONFIRMED — Lee Mudd, owner of RLM Underground (Missouri, ~8 years). Qualifying business management experience documented via attestation.
- ⚠ 880 acres must be under 30% of average farm size in Osage County — FSA calculates at appointment
Key document: Lee Mudd Business Management Attestation (RLM Underground, Missouri, 8 years) — included in this package. Bring to FSA appointment.
Programs 5 & 6 of 6
Disaster Assistance — LFP & ELAP
LFP — Livestock Forage Disaster Program
Compensates for grazing losses due to drought. USDA declared Kansas drought disaster assistance in June 2026. Osage County designation must be confirmed — FSA updates the eligible county list every Thursday.
Deadline: March 1, 2027 for 2026 losses. Ask FSA at appointment: "Is Osage County designated for LFP drought assistance for 2026?"
ELAP — Emergency Livestock Assistance
Compensates for above-normal costs of hauling water or feed to livestock, or transporting livestock to alternative grazing. If any emergency feed or water hauling occurred in 2026, document and file.
Deadline: March 1, 2027 for 2026 costs. Same office, same appointment as LFP.
Action Plan
Submission Checklist
Week 1 — FSA First
- Step 1Call Osage County FSA, schedule appointment
- Step 2At FSA: Establish/confirm FSA farm number (required for EQIP)
- Step 3At FSA: File AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) certification
- Step 4At FSA: Ask — "Is Osage County designated for 2026 LFP drought assistance?"
- Step 5Pick up FSA-2001 forms (Operating Loan + Ownership Loan)
- BringLLC Articles of Organization · EIN letter · Deeds for 880 acres · Personal tax returns (Derek + Lee) · Lee Mudd Attestation (RLM Underground)
Week 2 — NRCS Visit
- Step 6Call NRCS (785) 828-4631, schedule conservation planning site visit
- Step 7At NRCS: Complete NRCS-CPA-1200 — check EQIP + CSP boxes
- Step 8At NRCS: Check "Beginning Farmer or Rancher" in Section 3b — critical
- Step 9At NRCS: Request FY2027 batching date
- CriticalDo NOT start any EQIP practice installation until NRCS contract is signed and received
Weeks 3–4 — FSA Loan Applications
- Step 10Complete FSA-2001 for Operating Loan (up to $400K for operating capital)
- Step 11Complete FSA-2001 for Farm Ownership Loan (up to $600K for land purchase)
- BringTax returns (3 years) · Current balance sheet · Cash flow projections · Business plan · LLC docs · Lee's attestation for experience requirement
Ongoing
- Fall 2026EQIP + CSP applications ranked in FY2027 cycle
- OngoingFSA loan underwriting proceeds
- By Mar 1, 2027File LFP and/or ELAP if Osage County is designated
Files in This Package
Document Index
| Document | Purpose | Submit To |
|---|---|---|
| MT-Land-Cattle-Funding-Package.html | This document — full submission package | Client + CHELCIE file |
| MT-Land-Cattle-EQIP-Application-Packet.md | EQIP practice detail + pre-filled CPA-1200 answers | NRCS appointment |
| MT-Land-Cattle-COMPLETE-SUBMISSION-PACKAGE.md | Full program guide (markdown working copy) | Internal reference |
| MT-Land-Cattle-Lee-Mudd-Business-Attestation.md | Lee Mudd signed attestation — RLM Underground, 8 yrs, Missouri | FSA loan file |
| NRCS-CPA-1200.pdf | Official EQIP/CSP application form | NRCS service center |
| FSA-2001.pdf | FSA loan application (Operating + Ownership) | FSA service center |