Texans know the value of the land, and residents of
Ochiltree County are no different. Over 900 square miles of land are
perfect for the ranches that sprawl throughout the prairie. The rich
soil of Ochiltree County is made up of clay and loam, perfect for growing
wheat, grain sorghum, corn and alfalfa. Beneath the soil is another
booming industry in the area: gas and oil. The value of the land in
Ochiltree County is well-known to the area residents who make their
living using their resources wisely.
The agricultural sector continues to produce both employment and revenue
for the area. Hog and cattle ranches are some of the major employers
in the area. The largest area employer is Texas Farm, a hog-raising
operation that employs over 350 people. There are 50 ranches in Ochiltree
County, and the average ranch size is 10,000 acres. Annually, over 240,000
hogs are raised/fed/slaughtered each year in the area, with future projections
reaching over 1 million. Over 200,000 head of cattle are sold annually
in Ochiltree County. Big 4 Packing and Booker Packing Food handle processing
in the area. Area ranchers enjoy a good working relationship with the
city.
As Ochiltree County’s slogan, “Wheatheart of the Nation,”
suggests, farming is a major part of the economy in Perryton. Area farmers
produce over 7 million bushels of wheat, 3.5 million bushels of grain
sorghum, 3 million bushels of corn, 10,000 tons of hay and 400,000 bushels
of soybeans annually. There are just over 370 farms in the county, with
an average farm size of 1,588 acres.
The underlying heartbeat of the community is the oil and gas industry.
Oil-related businesses make up a large portion of employers in the area.
Four of the top 10 employers in the county are in the oil and gas industry.
The industry has deep roots in the area, with the first oil lease filed
in 1912. In 1955, Woodson Oil Company brought the oil industry to Perryton
in full swing. They drilled the No. 1 Perry Unit on the southeast edge
of Perryton and began a flurry of excitement when it became a producer.
The leasing and drilling that followed brought several other service
companies to town and solidified the presence of the oil and gas industry
in Perryton. Since then, the industry has thrived and provided many
jobs to the Perryton area.
Major area employers have discovered the value of the Perryton workforce,
with its strong work ethic and its desire to see local companies succeed.
This helps to solidify Perryton and Ochiltree County as an excellent
place to establish a business.
