USDA NRCS Announces June 8 Deadline for New Sandhills Rangeland Conservation Program in Yuma, Phillips and Sedgwick Counties

Agricultural producers and landowners in Yuma, Phillips, and Sedgwick counties are encouraged to apply for a new conservation funding opportunity through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced a second Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up deadline of June 8, 2026, for the Yuma County Targeted Conservation Program (TCP) – Sandhills Rangeland Project.

This innovative program is designed to improve rangeland health by addressing invasive annual grasses such as cheatgrass and Japanese brome, which reduce forage production, degrade wildlife habitat, and increase wildfire risk across northeastern Colorado.

The project targets Yuma, Phillips, and Sedgwick counties focusing on Herbaceous Weed Management using indaziflam, marketed as Rejuvra, a pre-emergent herbicide that has demonstrated excellent long-term control of invasive annual grasses. Unlike many herbicides that require annual retreatment, Rejuvra can provide up to four years of control by targeting the cheatgrass seedbank while allowing desirable perennial grasses to thrive.

When combined with sound grazing management, this treatment can significantly increase forage production, improve plant diversity, and reduce wildfire risk.  Other conservation practices may also be considered based on site-specific conditions.

Through these practices, producers can restore native grasses, improve grazing distribution, increase forage production, and enhance habitat for wildlife species such as the greater prairie-chicken.

Applications for this targeted funding opportunity must be submitted to NRCS by June 8, 2026. NRCS accepts applications year-round, but applications received by this deadline will be considered for this specific funding opportunity.  Interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible to begin or update an application.

County                                                                 Phone Number

Phillips County NRCS                                      970-854-2812

Sedgwick County NRCS                                  970-463-9010

Yuma County NRCS                                         970-332-3107

For additional information, visit USDA NRCS Colorado.