Decatur County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Decatur County, KS with no drought, though 18% at abnormally dry (D0); 0% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 18% four weeks earlier. Over 90 days rain is at 211% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 75% (below normal); the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain and today carries the week's highest rain chance at 70% (high 63°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Decatur County with up to 4 monthly payments, and Dodge City is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 143 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 75% of normal
- Last 60 days 204% of normal
- Last 90 days 211% 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 Chance Drizzle, high 63°, low 58°, 70% rain, wind 20–25 mph
- Monday Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 67°, low 44°, 60% rain, wind 15–30 mph
- Tuesday Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny, high 48°, low 35°, 32% rain, wind 10–30 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 53°, low 35°, 11% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 50°, low 33°, 11% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 54°, low 37°, 5% rain, wind 5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 55°, low 37°, 15% rain, wind 5–10 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 1, 2026. Wind, warnings and burn bans.
Open loss windows
No open loss windows in Decatur 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
Decatur 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge City 143 mi | Oct 28 | $391 |
| Sterling 155 mi | Oct 28 | $443 |
| Salina 166 mi | Oct 29 | $423 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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 Decatur County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Decatur 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 Decatur County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Decatur County was in no drought, and the worst part was abnormally dry (D0) on 18% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Decatur 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 Decatur County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Dodge City (143 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Sterling (155 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Salina (166 mi), last report Oct 29, 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.