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Jefferson County, AL

Cattle prices near Jefferson County, Alabama. The closest sale barn with a recent report is Ashville AL in Ashville, AL, about 41 miles away. The latest report is dated Nov 9 (USDA). Check a bid against your own costs with Ring Price.

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Change county
Drought No droughtNone · most of county Drought pay (LFP) Not listedFSA 2026 list Burn ban Checkcall the county Kilpatrick AL 5-wt steers $410▲ $21 since last sale

Jefferson County rain, outlook and forecast

Most of Jefferson County, AL showed no drought on the Nov 10 U.S. Drought Monitor map, though 30% at abnormally dry (D0); 30% of the county is abnormally dry (D0) or worse, the same as four weeks earlier. Jefferson County has had 39% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 68% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 20–24 leans toward near-normal rain and no day in the 7-day forecast tops a 3% rain chance. Jefferson County is not on FSA's 2026 LFP list yet, and Ashville AL is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 41 miles.

Rain vs normal

  • Last 30 days 39% of normal
  • Last 60 days 77% of normal
  • Last 90 days 68% of normal

NOAA river forecast center rain (radar plus gauges) at the county center, Nov 15, 2026. Source.

Rain outlook

  • 6-10 day outlook (Nov 20–24) Leans toward near-normal rain
  • 8-14 day outlook (Nov 22–28) Leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain)

NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 14, 2026. Source.

Next 7 days

  1. Today Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny, high 61°, low 34°, 0% rain, wind 0–10 mph
  2. Monday Patchy Frost then Sunny, high 63°, low 35°, 0% rain, wind 0–5 mph
  3. Tuesday Patchy Frost then Sunny, high 65°, low 36°, 0% rain, wind 5–10 mph
  4. Wednesday Patchy Frost then Sunny, high 69°, low 41°, 1% rain, wind 5–10 mph
  5. Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 71°, low 43°, 0% rain, wind 0–5 mph
  6. Friday Sunny, high 72°, low 43°, 1% rain, wind 0–5 mph
  7. Saturday Sunny, high 73°, low 48°, 3% rain, wind 0–5 mph

National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 15, 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 Jefferson County is Dec 1, 2026, 16 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.

Jefferson County grass production

In 2025, grassland and pasture in Jefferson County grew about 1,726 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 91% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 1,904 pounds per acre. That was the 14th lowest of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 1994 at 2,425 pounds per acre; worst: 1986 at 1,079.

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 Jefferson 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

Jefferson 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)

Prices

5-wt steers, nearest barns

Steers 500–599 lb, $/cwt, weekly average.

BarnLast sale5-wt steers
Ashville AL 41 miNov 9–
Cullman AL 43 miNov 10–
Arab AL 58 miNov 10–
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.

Guide: How to read a USDA sale barn report

Price history · Barn map · Fed vs feeder cattle

All weights at the 3 nearest barns

Ashville AL 41 mi

Ashville, AL
Sale of Nov 9, 2026
CattleHead$/cwt≈ $/head
Heifers 400-499 lb10360.44$1,620
Heifers 500-599 lb12327.06$1,800
Heifers 600-699 lb10305.50$1,990
Heifers 700-799 lb2294.88$2,210
Steers 700-799 lb11310.48$2,330

USDA report (PDF) · Price history

Cullman AL 43 mi

Cullman, AL
Sale of Nov 10, 2026
CattleHead$/cwt≈ $/head
Heifers 400-499 lb20366.32$1,650
Heifers 500-599 lb26332.48$1,830
Heifers 600-699 lb6305.42$1,990
Steers 400-499 lb7450.00$2,020

USDA report (PDF) · Price history

Arab AL 58 mi

Arab, AL
Sale of Nov 10, 2026
CattleHead$/cwt≈ $/head
Heifers 400-499 lb11350.56$1,580
Heifers 500-599 lb17316.51$1,740
Heifers 600-699 lb11289.32$1,880
Heifers 700-799 lb3290.01$2,180
Steers 700-799 lb1327.50$2,460

USDA report (PDF) · Price history

39 more within 200 mi: Kilpatrick AL (68 mi), Lineville AL (68 mi), Moulton AL (68 mi), Russellville AL (81 mi), Uniontown AL (84 mi), Roanoke AL (93 mi), Florence AL (98 mi), Macon MS (100 mi), Letohatchee AL (101 mi), West Point MS (101 mi), Carrollton GA (104 mi), Fayetteville TN (112 mi), Pulaski TN (114 mi), Houston MS (123 mi), Calhoun GA (130 mi), Meridian MS (132 mi), Savannah TN (138 mi), Philadelphia MS (139 mi), Brundidge AL (142 mi), Columbia TN (143 mi), Unionville TN (143 mi), Frisco City AL (149 mi), Thomaston GA (155 mi), Kosciusko MS (159 mi), McMinnville TN (160 mi), New Brockton AL (161 mi), Opp AL (161 mi), Winona MS (163 mi), Grenada MS (168 mi), Jackson GA (170 mi), Forest MS (171 mi), Dickson TN (175 mi), Dothan AL (182 mi), Athens TN (185 mi), Como MS (186 mi), Huntingdon TN (190 mi), Carthage TN (194 mi), Crossville TN (197 mi), Sweetwater TN (198 mi).

Drought

Drought, past 12 months

0% of the county in severe drought or worse.

How to read this

Each band is how much of the county was in that drought level that week. Darker = worse. D2 (severe) and darker can trigger USDA drought pay.

Right now: 0% of the county is in severe drought or worse; some of it has been for 0 weeks running. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, map of Nov 10, 2026.

Guide: What D0–D4 mean

See the drought map

Programs

Drought pasture pay (LFP)

Not on FSA's 2026 list as of the latest file.

FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Nov 5, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 9, 2026.

Guide: How LFP works and who qualifies

Guide: ELAP and LIP basics

USDA disaster declarations

  • Dec 29, 2025 · Drought
    Neighboring county declared (counts for Jefferson) · crop year 2025
  • Sep 15, 2025 · Excessive Rain, Moisture, Humidity
    Neighboring county declared (counts for Jefferson) · 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). Fetched Nov 9, 2026.

Guide: What a disaster designation means

CRP emergency haying and grazing

Not on the list Jefferson County is not on FSA's emergency haying and grazing list as of Nov 5, 2026. Non-emergency haying and grazing may still be allowed outside the primary nesting season.

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 Nov 5, 2026 · map · FSA program page. FSA posts a new file every Thursday. Fetched Nov 9, 2026.

Guide: CRP emergency haying and grazing rules

Screwworm (Texas Animal Health Commission)

Data pending. animal-health alerts are read for Texas (TAHC) and Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico (state ag departments); Alabama's state veterinarian isn't read yet

Guide: Screwworm: what to know

New FSA programs: watch list
DateScopeReleaseFlag
Nov 4, 2026MississippiUSDA Designates one Tennessee Counties as Natural Disaster Areas
Nov 4, 2026Hawaii and Pacific IslandsUSDA Extends Application Deadline for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance for Guam and CNMI Counties for Typhoon Bavi Impacts
Nov 4, 2026NebraskaUSDA Authorizes Deadline Extension for Emergency Conservation Program in Several Wildfire-Impacted Counties
Nov 4, 2026FloridaUSDA Designates 9 Alabama Counties as Natural Disaster Areas
Nov 3, 2026AlabamaUSDA Designates 9 Alabama Counties as Natural Disaster Areas

Weather & fire

Next 7 days · National Weather Service

Weather for Jefferson County

Forecast for the center point of Jefferson County.

    1. Today Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny 61° 34° NE 0–10 mph 0% rain
    2. Mon Patchy Frost then Sunny 63° 35° E 0–5 mph 0% rain
    3. Tue Patchy Frost then Sunny 65° 36° E 5–10 mph 0% rain
    4. Wed Patchy Frost then Sunny 69° 41° E 5–10 mph 1% rain
    5. Thu Mostly Sunny 71° 43° E 0–5 mph 0% rain
    6. Fri Sunny 72° 43° E 0–5 mph 1% rain
    7. Sat Sunny 73° 48° SE 0–5 mph 3% rain

    Forecast from the National Weather Service, updated Nov 15, 2026. Wind arrows point where the wind is going; the letters say where it comes from. Windy = 25 mph or more; freeze = a low of 32°F or less. Open the full forecast.

    Burn ban

    Data pending. Cownty doesn't read an official statewide burn-ban list for Alabama; county commissions, sheriffs and fire districts post local fire restrictions, so check your county's own notices

    No official ban list to check here, so Cownty shows the National Weather Service fire-weather alerts for the county instead: none right now.

    Guide: Burn bans: where to check and what they mean

    Weather warnings right now

    None right now

    National Weather Service active alerts for this county, as of Nov 15, 2026 (source). Fetched Nov 15, 2026.

    Rainfall vs normal

    Oct 2026
    3.74 in 112% of normal
    Last 12 months
    49.19 in 87%
    How to read this

    Bars are the rain that fell each month; the dashed line is a normal month (1991-2020 average). Bars below the line = drier than normal.

    County-average precipitation, Nov 2025 to Oct 2026. Normal = NCEI's own 1991-2020 average for each month (Oct 2026 normal 3.35 in; same month last year 3.06 in). NCEI posts each month around the 8th of the next and may revise recent months. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance. Fetched Nov 14, 2026.

    Wildfires

    No current fire perimeter in the county

    No current perimeter within 100 mi of the county center (48 mapped nationally).

    See the fire map

    Interagency fire outlines. Small or brand-new fires are often not mapped yet; call 911 for a fire you can see. Layer updated Nov 15, 2026. Source: National Interagency Fire Center. Fetched Nov 15, 2026.

    Frost dates

    Frost and freeze dates

    30-year averages (1991–2020) from the weather stations nearest Jefferson County. Frost = 32°F; hard freeze = 28°F.

    Birmingham Ap weather station (9 mi away)

    Typical last spring frostTypical first fall frost
    Frost (32°F)
    236-day growing season
    		 Mar 21
    1 year in 10 it's after Apr 8
    		 Nov 11
    1 year in 10 it's before Oct 30
    Hard freeze (28°F)
    262-day growing season
    		 Mar 7
    1 year in 10 it's after Mar 26
    		 Nov 24
    1 year in 10 it's before Nov 6

    Bessemer 3 Wsw weather station (13 mi away)

    Typical last spring frostTypical first fall frost
    Frost (32°F)
    231-day growing season
    		 Mar 23
    1 year in 10 it's after Apr 11
    		 Nov 10
    1 year in 10 it's before Oct 27
    Hard freeze (28°F)
    257-day growing season
    		 Mar 9
    1 year in 10 it's after Mar 28
    		 Nov 23
    1 year in 10 it's before Nov 4

    Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Birmingham Ap, Bessemer 3 Wsw), NOAA files as of Jun 27, 2023. Fetched Nov 11, 2026.

    Money

    FSA grain loan rates (2026)

    What FSA will lend on stored grain, per bushel. Lets you hold grain instead of selling at harvest.

    CropJefferson CountyNational average
    Corn$2.61 /bu $2.42 /bu
    Grain sorghum$4.57 /cwt
    ($2.56 /bu)
    		 $2.42 /bu
    Soybeans$6.94 /bu $6.82 /bu
    Soft red winter wheat$3.16 /bu $3.72 /bu

    County marketing-loan rates. Sorghum's county rate is set per 100 lb; the per-bushel figure uses 56 lb a bushel. Source: FSA 2026 corn/sorghum/soybean schedule, wheat schedule, national rates. Fetched Nov 9, 2026.

    FSA farm loan interest rates

    FSA direct loanRate
    Farm Operating - Direct5.625%
    Farm Operating - Microloan5.625%
    Farm Ownership - Direct6.250%
    Farm Ownership - Microloan6.250%
    Farm Ownership - Direct, Joint Financing4.250%
    Farm Ownership - Down Payment2.250%
    Emergency Loan - Amount of Actual Loss3.750%

    Set nationally by FSA; the same in every county. Effective Nov 1, 2026. Source: FSA current loan interest rates. Fetched Nov 9, 2026.

    Farm program payments by crop (ARC and PLC)

    ARC pays when county crop revenue falls below its guarantee. PLC pays when the national price falls below the reference price. You picked one per crop when you enrolled.

    Data pending. last fetch failed: HTTPError: 403 Client Error: Forbidden for url: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/arc-plc/program-data

    PLC, 2026 FSA table of Oct 30, 2026

    CropReference priceSeason avg pricePLC payment
    Wheat /bushel$6.35$6.30 projected$0.05 projected
    Barley /bushel$5.58$5.70 projected$0.00 projected
    Oats /bushel$3.05$3.35 projected$0.00 projected
    Corn /bushel$4.42$4.70 projected$0.00 projected
    Grain Sorghum /bushel$4.67$4.50 projected$0.17 projected
    Soybeans /bushel$10.71$12.00 projected$0.00 projected

    PLC rates are national (paid on the farm's PLC yield). Source: FSA 2026 PLC table. FSA decides who is paid.

    FSA payments in Jefferson County

    Data pending. last fetch failed: HTTPError: 403 Client Error: Forbidden for url: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/freedom-information-act-foia/electronic-reading-room/frequently-requested/payment-files

    Guide: ARC and PLC basics

    Crop conditions (statewide)

    Alabama crop and pasture condition

    Alabama statewide, not just your county. From USDA's weekly Crop Progress report, week ending Nov 8, 2026.

    ConditionPoor or
    very poor    		FairGood or
    excellent

    Progress

    AlabamaThis weekLast weekNormal (5-yr avg)
    Cotton Harvested68%62%68%

    Source: USDA NASS Crop Progress released Nov 9, 2026 (ESMIS), Alabama rows. Week ending Nov 8, 2026. Fetched Nov 9, 2026.

    Deadlines

    • Dec 1, 2026in 16 days
      Last day to buy 2027 pasture rain insurance (PRF)
      Crop insurance (RMA)
      Details and source
      Plans: Rainfall Index
      Date posted: USDA crop insurance (RMA)
      Source: USDA RMA · more · checked Aug 28, 2026
    • Mar 1, 2027in 106 days
      Livestock 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
      Rule: 7 CFR 1416.206(a) (FSA rule, Jan 17, 2025)
      Source: USDA FSA · checked Oct 18, 2026
    • Mar 1, 2027in 106 days
      Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP): notice of loss, application and papers for 2026 losses are due by this date.
      FSA disaster programs · 7 CFR 1416.107
      Details and source
      Rule: 7 CFR 1416.107 (FSA rule, Jan 17, 2025)
      Source: USDA FSA · checked Oct 18, 2026
    • Mar 1, 2027in 106 days
      Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): notice of loss, application and papers for 2026 losses are due by this date.
      FSA disaster programs · 7 CFR 1416.305(b)
      Details and source
      Rule: 7 CFR 1416.305(b) (FSA rule, Jan 17, 2025)
      Source: USDA FSA · checked Oct 18, 2026

    All deadlines and report dates · FSA disaster-program deadlines are pending (no official feed).

    Guide: PRF insurance and the Dec 1 deadline

    Guide: How to apply for EQIP or CSP

    Guide: Ag land property tax in OK, KS and NM

    Land

    Where it is, with barns within 200 mi

    Dots are sale barns USDA reports on. Tap one for its latest prices.

    Who owns this land? Open the county property map

    Grass grown on rangeland and pasture

    Grass grown in 2025: 1,726 lb per acre, a little below normal (91% of the 1991-2020 average of 1,904).

    How to read this

    Each bar is one year's grass (darker = perennial grasses, lighter = annuals). The dashed line is the 1991-2020 average. A county average with cropland excluded, not your pasture.

    How we got this

    Satellite estimate of new above-ground growth of grasses and forbs for the year (annual + perennial, lb/acre), averaged over the county's grassland, pasture and shrubland (10% of the county in USDA's 2025 cropland map; farm fields are left out because the estimate isn't valid there, and the same 2025 map is used for every year). About about 120 m (RAP overview). Source: Rangeland Analysis Platform biomass v3 (data, Jones et al. 2021, CC0) and USDA NASS Cropland Data Layer.

    Source: Rangeland Analysis Platform, 2025 season. Fetched Nov 13, 2026.

    Text me Jefferson County changes

    Nearest USDA-reported sale barns

    1. Ashville Stockyard Ashville, AL 41 mi · sells Mondays · latest USDA report Nov 9, 2026
    2. Cullman Stockyard Cullman, AL 43 mi · sells Tuesdays · latest USDA report Nov 10, 2026
    3. Arab Livestock Market Arab, AL 58 mi · sells Tuesdays · latest USDA report Nov 10, 2026
    4. Sand Mountain Stockyards Inc. Kilpatrick, AL 68 mi · sells Wednesdays · latest USDA report Nov 11, 2026
    5. Clay County Livestock Auction Lineville, AL 68 mi · sells Tuesdays · latest USDA report Nov 10, 2026

    Miles are straight-line from the county center. Sale days come from the barns' recent USDA AMS reports; call the barn to confirm. All barns

    Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Alabama

    Common questions and nearby counties

    Is Jefferson County eligible for LFP in 2026?

    Not on FSA's 2026 LFP county list as of Nov 5, 2026. FSA updates the list as drought changes.

    Source: FSA LFP county file of Nov 5, 2026

    What is the drought level in Jefferson County this week?

    On the Drought Monitor map of Nov 10, 2026, most of Jefferson County was in no drought, and the worst part was abnormally dry (D0) on 30% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.

    Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, map of Nov 10, 2026

    Is there a burn ban in Jefferson County?

    No official statewide list to check: Cownty doesn't read an official statewide burn-ban list for Alabama; county commissions, sheriffs and fire districts post local fire restrictions, so check your county's own notices.

    What sale barns are near Jefferson County?

    The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Ashville AL (41 mi), last report Nov 9, 2026; Cullman AL (43 mi), last report Nov 10, 2026; Arab AL (58 mi), last report Nov 10, 2026.

    Source: USDA AMS Market News reports

    What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?

    Next: Nov 20, 2026: Micro Farm 2027: last day to buy crop insurance; Nov 20, 2026: Whole Farm Revenue Protection 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.