Cherokee County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Cherokee County, KS in severe drought (D2); week 9 in a row with some severe drought (D2) or worse. Over 90 days rain is at 59% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 52% (below normal); the best rain chance this week is 92% on today (high 78°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 8–12 leans drier than normal (40% chance of below-normal rain). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Cherokee County with up to 3 monthly payments, and Exeter is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 61 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 52% of normal
- Last 60 days 84% of normal
- Last 90 days 59% of normal
NOAA river forecast center rain (radar plus gauges) at the county center, Nov 2, 2026. Source.
Rain outlook
- 6-10 day outlook (Nov 8–12) Leans drier than normal (40% chance of below-normal rain)
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 10–16) Leans toward near-normal rain
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 2, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 78°, low 60°, 92% rain, wind 15–20 mph
- Tuesday Chance Rain Showers then Chance Drizzle, high 68°, low 48°, 33% rain, wind 7–18 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 64°, low 43°, 1% rain, wind 5–12 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Drizzle, high 64°, low 41°, 22% rain, wind 3–6 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 61°, low 39°, 0% rain, wind 3–7 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 61°, low 38°, 7% rain, wind 3–5 mph
- Sunday Sunny, high 62°, low 39°, 5% rain, wind 3–7 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 2, 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 Cherokee County is Dec 1, 2026, 29 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.
Cherokee County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Cherokee County grew about 3,051 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 108% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 2,814 pounds per acre. That was the 10th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2017 at 3,538 pounds per acre; worst: 1986 at 1,212.
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 Cherokee 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
Cherokee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Joplin 34 mi | Nov 2 | $388 |
| Exeter 61 mi | Oct 27 | $399 |
| Siloam Springs 70 mi | Oct 29 | $405 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Cherokee County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Cherokee County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 3 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 Cherokee County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Cherokee County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 71% of the county. 9 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Cherokee County?
No official statewide list to check: Kansas has no statewide official burn-ban list; county commissions set bans and announce them locally (county emergency management or sheriff).
What sale barns are near Cherokee County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Exeter (61 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Siloam Springs (70 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Tulsa (93 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 20, 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.