Castro County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Castro County, TX showed no drought on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, though 19% at abnormally dry (D0); 0% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 100% four weeks earlier. Over 90 days rain is at 179% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 111% (near normal); the best rain chance this week is 58% on today (high 67°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. Castro County (county seat: Dimmitt) is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 4 monthly payments, and Tulia is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 27 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 111% of normal
- Last 60 days 239% of normal
- Last 90 days 179% of normal
NOAA river forecast center rain (radar plus gauges) at the county center, Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Rain outlook
- 6-10 day outlook (Nov 7–11) Leans toward near-normal rain
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 9–15) Leans toward near-normal rain
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Mostly Cloudy, high 67°, low 59°, 58% rain, wind 15–20 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 70°, low 46°, 4% rain, wind 15–25 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 63°, low 41°, 0% rain, wind 5–20 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 67°, low 44°, 4% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 62°, low 39°, 1% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 62°, low 41°, 12% rain, wind 5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 62°, low 41°, 17% rain, wind 5–10 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 1, 2026. Wind, warnings and burn bans.
PRF pasture insurance: sign up by Dec 1, 2026
The 2027 Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) insurance sales closing date for Castro County is Dec 1, 2026, 30 days from today. PRF (Rainfall Index) pays on a rainfall index for your grid, not on your own rain gauge. You buy it through a crop insurance agent.
How PRF works · PRF 2027 sign-up · Find your grid on RMA's PRF tool
Date from USDA RMA's actuarial data, read Aug 28, 2026 · RMA dates map. Your agent confirms the date for your policy.
Castro County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Castro County grew about 1,435 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 101% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 1,422 pounds per acre. That was the 18th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2015 at 2,306 pounds per acre; worst: 2011 at 632.
Pounds per acre of new grass and forbs each year on rangeland and pasture, from the Rangeland Analysis Platform (satellite-based estimates). See every year on the Land tab.
Open loss windows
No open loss windows in Castro County right now. A 30-day window opens when the county first hits severe drought (D2), jumps to D3 or D4, or after a blizzard, extreme heat or cold, flood or ice warning, a wildfire, or a USDA disaster designation. Keep a Drought Ledger.
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Cownty sends nothing to FSA.
Drought-sale tax flag IRS list
Castro County is on IRS Notice 2026-54 (severe or worse drought, Sep 1, 2025 to Aug 31, 2026).
Why it matters: if you sold breeding, dairy or draft livestock because of drought, the tax code may let you put off the gain (more time to buy replacement animals, or report the extra-sale income a year later). Your tax preparer decides whether either applies.
Work out your numbers and print a page for your preparer
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. Ask your tax preparer. FSA decides program eligibility. IRS Notice 2026-54 (PDF)
5-wt steers, nearest barns
Steers 500–599 lb, $/cwt, weekly average.
| Barn | Last sale | 5-wt steers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulia 27 mi | Oct 29 | $386 |
| Wildorado 46 mi | Oct 27 | $409 |
| Clovis 56 mi | Oct 28 | $394 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/cwt, per 100 lb), calculated from USDA AMS Market News sale reports (Medium & Large 1 and 1-2). Not a USDA-published average. ≈ $/head = $/cwt × the middle of the weight class ÷ 100.
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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Texas · County seat: Dimmitt
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Castro County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Castro County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 4 monthly payments for some pasture types. FSA decides each operation's eligibility; apply at your county FSA office by March 1 after the loss year.
What is the drought level in Castro County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Castro County was in no drought, and the worst part was abnormally dry (D0) on 19% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Castro County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Castro County (since Nov 23, 2021). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Castro County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Tulia (27 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Wildorado (46 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Clovis (56 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 13, 2026: Apply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 money; Nov 20, 2026: Micro Farm 2027: last day to buy crop insurance. FSA program dates not posted officially are marked "confirm at source" on the calendar.
Source: official agency pages (see Calendar)
Information only; not financial or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Always check the linked official source.