Ford County rain, outlook and forecast
On the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, most of Ford County, KS was abnormally dry (D0), with 22% at moderate drought (D1); 22% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 100% four weeks earlier. Ford County has had 108% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 185% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the best rain chance this week is 88% on today (high 76°) 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 Ford County (county seat: Dodge City) with up to 3 monthly payments, and Dodge City is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 7 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 108% of normal
- Last 60 days 303% of normal
- Last 90 days 185% 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 wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain)
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 2, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Sunny, high 76°, low 46°, 88% rain, wind 13–28 mph
- Tuesday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny, high 56°, low 38°, 19% rain, wind 6–30 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 63°, low 41°, 41% rain, wind 2–7 mph
- Thursday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 57°, low 36°, 20% rain, wind 6–13 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 60°, low 38°, 1% rain, wind 3 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 62°, low 39°, 6% rain, wind 3–7 mph
- Sunday Sunny, high 62°, low 39°, 2% rain, wind 6–8 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 Ford 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.
Ford County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Ford County grew about 2,441 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 125% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 1,952 pounds per acre. That was the 3rd best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2016 at 2,518 pounds per acre; worst: 2011 at 1,159.
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 Ford 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
Ford 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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Drought pasture pay (LFP)
On FSA's 2026 list for 6 pasture types. Up to 3 monthly payments.
Bring head counts, grazing leases and pasture acres to your county FSA office.
How to read this
Each bar is a pasture type; the number is how many monthly payments it qualifies for (1 to 5).
Pasture table
| Pasture type | Grazing period | Qualifying date | Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Crabgrass | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-18 | 3 |
| Annual Ryegrass | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-18 | 3 |
| Full Season Improved | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-18 | 3 |
| Native Pasture | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-18 | 3 |
| Forage Sorghum | 2026-08-01 to 2026-09-30 | 2026-08-28 | 2 |
| Short Ssn Spring Sml Grn | 2026-05-15 to 2026-06-15 | 2026-05-19 | 1 |
FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 2, 2026.
USDA disaster declarations
- Jun 4, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Ford) · crop year 2026 - May 19, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Ford) · crop year 2026 - Apr 24, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Ford) · crop year 2026 - Jan 16, 2026 · Hail, Wind, High Winds, Tornadoes, Storm/tidal Surges, Lightning
Neighboring county declared (counts for Ford) · crop year 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Ford) · crop year 2025
"Declared" means USDA named this county. "Neighboring" means it touches a declared county. Either way, FSA emergency loans can open for about 8 months. FSA designation files (dated Jan 28, 2026, Oct 19, 2026). Fetched Nov 2, 2026.
CRP emergency haying and grazing
Open Ford County is on FSA's emergency haying and grazing list, starting Sep 1, 2026. Trigger: D2 (severe) drought on the Drought Monitor. Get an updated conservation plan from FSA before cutting or turning out.
Before haying and grazing, contact your FSA county office to see if your county remains eligible and/or obtain a modified conservation plan. This list is cumulative for the year and current local conditions may have changed.
Source: FSA eligible-county table posted Oct 29, 2026 · map · FSA program page. FSA posts a new file every Thursday. Fetched Nov 2, 2026.
Animal health notices: Kansas
New FSA programs: watch list
| Date | Scope | Release | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2026 | National | USDA Announces November 2026 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers | |
| Nov 2, 2026 | Oregon | USDA Designates Two Oregon Counties as a Natural Disaster Area | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Minnesota | USDA Designates Numerous Counties in Minnesota as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Maine | USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Maine Impacted by Drought | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Three Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas |
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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Kansas · County seat: Dodge City
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Ford County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Ford 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 Ford County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Ford County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 22% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Ford 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 Ford County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Dodge City (7 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Pratt (66 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Beaver (70 mi), last report Oct 27, 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.