Deaf Smith County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Deaf Smith County, TX showed no drought on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, though 32% at abnormally dry (D0); four weeks earlier 100% of the county was in moderate drought (D1) or worse, now 0%. Rain has run 100% of normal over the last 30 days (near normal) and 145% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the NWS forecast peaks at a 71% rain chance on today (high 69°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. Deaf Smith County (county seat: Hereford) is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 5 monthly payments, and Wildorado is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 33 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 100% of normal
- Last 60 days 244% of normal
- Last 90 days 145% 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 69°, low 57°, 71% rain, wind 15–25 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 67°, low 45°, 6% rain, wind 10–30 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 63°, low 41°, 0% rain, wind 5–20 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 67°, low 43°, 4% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 61°, low 38°, 1% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 62°, low 41°, 11% rain, wind 5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 63°, 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 Deaf Smith 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.
Deaf Smith County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Deaf Smith County grew about 1,371 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 93% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 1,480 pounds per acre. That was the 18th lowest of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2015 at 2,142 pounds per acre; worst: 2011 at 681.
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 Deaf Smith 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
Deaf Smith 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)
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Nov 13, 2026in 12 daysApply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 moneyNRCS conservation programs
Details and source
NRCS takes applications year-round; apply by this date to be ranked for this fiscal year's funding.Date posted: NRCS Application Cutoff Dates page (Texas)Source: USDA NRCS · checked Nov 1, 2026 -
Dec 1, 2026in 30 daysLast day to buy 2027 pasture rain insurance (PRF)Crop insurance (RMA)
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Jan 1, 2027in 61 daysProperty values set for the tax yearTexas property tax · January 1 every year · Tax Code Sec. 23.01(a)
Details and source
What the law says
Date that taxable values (except for inventories appraised Sept. 1) and qualification for certain exemptions are determined for the tax year (Secs. 11.42(a), 23.01(a), 23.12(f)).Source: Texas Comptroller · checked Nov 1, 2026 -
Feb 1, 2027in 92 daysLast year's property taxes become delinquent if not paidTexas property tax · February 1 every year · Tax Code Sec. 31.02(a)
Details and source
What the law says
Date that taxes imposed the previous year become delinquent if a bill was mailed on or before Jan. 10 of the current year (Secs. 31.02(a), 31.04(a)).Source: Texas Comptroller · checked Nov 1, 2026 -
Mar 1, 2027in 120 daysLivestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP): application and papers for 2026 losses are due by this date.FSA disaster programs · 7 CFR 1416.206(a)
Details and source
Source: USDA FSA · checked Oct 18, 2026
All deadlines and report dates · FSA disaster-program deadlines are pending (no official feed).
Coming up: EQIP and CSP FY2027 first ranking cutoff (12 days left) · PRF rainfall insurance for 2027 (30 days left) · ARC/PLC 2026 election and enrollment (40 days left) · LFP, LIP and ELAP for 2026 losses (120 days left)
Guide: PRF insurance and the Dec 1 deadline
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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Texas · County seat: Hereford
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Deaf Smith County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Deaf Smith County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 5 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 Deaf Smith County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Deaf Smith County was in no drought, and the worst part was abnormally dry (D0) on 32% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Deaf Smith County?
No burn ban is listed for Deaf Smith County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Deaf Smith County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Wildorado (33 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Clovis (51 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Tulia (55 mi), last report Oct 29, 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.