Gaines County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Gaines County, TX was abnormally dry (D0), with 40% at moderate drought (D1); 40% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 100% four weeks earlier. Over 90 days rain is at 100% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 234% (well above normal); the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain) and no day in the 7-day forecast tops a 17% rain chance. FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Gaines County with up to 2 monthly payments, and Roswell is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 118 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 234% of normal
- Last 60 days 122% of normal
- Last 90 days 100% 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 wetter than normal (33% chance of above-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 75°, low 60°, 17% rain, wind 10–15 mph
- Monday Patchy Fog then Sunny, high 76°, low 50°, 1% rain, wind 10–25 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 68°, low 45°, 0% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 72°, low 48°, 0% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 69°, low 42°, 1% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 65°, low 44°, 11% rain, wind 0 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 66°, low 44°, 15% rain, wind 0–5 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 Gaines 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
Gaines 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 8 pasture types. Up to 2 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 Ryegrass | 2026-01-01 to 2026-05-31 | 2026-02-02 | 2 |
| Full Season Improved | 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 | 2026-02-02 | 2 |
| Long Season Small Grains | 2025-11-01 to 2026-05-31 | 2026-02-02 | 2 |
| Native Pasture | 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 | 2026-02-02 | 2 |
| Short Season Small Grains | 2025-11-01 to 2026-03-15 | 2026-02-02 | 2 |
| Short Ssn Spring Sml Grn | 2025-11-15 to 2026-05-31 | 2026-02-02 | 2 |
| Shrt Ssn Fall_Wtr Sml Grn | 2025-11-15 to 2026-03-15 | 2026-02-02 | 2 |
| Forage Sorghum | 2026-07-15 to 2026-10-31 | 2026-09-28 | 1 |
FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
USDA disaster declarations
- May 6, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Gaines) · crop year 2026 - Apr 24, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Gaines) · crop year 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Gaines) · crop year 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 · Drought
Gaines declared · crop year 2026 - Jun 2, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Gaines) · crop year 2025 - Mar 25, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Gaines) · 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 1, 2026.
CRP emergency haying and grazing
Open Gaines 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 1, 2026.
Screwworm (Texas Animal Health Commission)
Not in a screwworm zone
Nearest infested zone: 131 mi straight-line (Infested Zone 15). Statewide: 13 counties touch an infested zone, 1 the surveillance zone. See the map.
Latest statewide screwworm orders and animal-health alerts
- Nov 1, 2026 new
TAHC Executive Director Order - Jeff Davis and Presidio Counties - Oct 31, 2026 new
TAHC Executive Director Order - Culberson and Hudspeth Counties - Oct 31, 2026 modified
TAHC Modified Executive Director Order - Brewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos, and Reeves Counties - Oct 31, 2026 modified
TAHC Second Modified Executive Director Order - El Paso and Hudspeth Counties - Oct 29, 2026 new
TAHC Executive Director Order - El Paso County - Oct 9, 2026 fever tick
TAHC Issues Cattle Fever Tick Quarantine Zone Requirements Reminder - Oct 1, 2026 screwworm
TAHC Establishes New World Screwworm Requirements for Animals Moving from Affected States - Sep 15, 2026 CWD
TAHC Issues Annual Reminder of Chronic Wasting Disease Requirements for Exotic Susceptible Species - Aug 31, 2026 screwworm
TAHC Releases First Eligible New World Screwworm Infested Zones - 02.A and 03 - Aug 24, 2026 screwworm
TAHC Establishes New World Screwworm Movement Requirements for Cattle From Mexico
Check wounds and navels. Suspect a case? Call the Commission's veterinarian on call, 1-800-550-8242.
Source: Texas Animal Health Commission screwworm zone map (zones as of Nov 1, 2026), screwworm orders and news releases; each item is dated by the Commission. Its orders, not this page, set movement rules. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
New FSA programs: watch list
| Date | Scope | Release | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Three Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas | |
| 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 29, 2026 | North Carolina | USDA Designates 13 North Carolina Counties as a Natural Disaster Area | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Eight Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas |
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Gaines County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Gaines County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 2 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 Gaines County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Gaines County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 40% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Gaines County?
No burn ban is listed for Gaines County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Gaines County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Roswell (118 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; Clovis (119 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Tulia (133 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 1, 2026: Grapevine 2027: last day to buy crop insurance; Nov 13, 2026: Apply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 money. 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.