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Norton County, KS

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CRP emergency haying & grazing: Norton County is on FSA's list (since Sep 1, 2026). Check with your FSA county office first. Details · FSA list as of Oct 29, 2026.

Norton County rain, outlook and forecast

On the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, most of Norton County, KS showed no drought, though 44% at abnormally dry (D0); 0% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 44% four weeks earlier. Norton County has had 74% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 181% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 8–12 leans drier than normal (40% chance of below-normal rain) and the NWS forecast peaks at a 81% rain chance on today (high 71°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Norton County with up to 4 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Lexington, 69 miles away.

Rain vs normal

  • Last 30 days 74% of normal
  • Last 60 days 233% of normal
  • Last 90 days 181% 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

  1. Today Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, high 71°, low 46°, 81% rain, wind 15–30 mph
  2. Tuesday Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy, high 50°, low 34°, 48% rain, wind 10–30 mph
  3. Wednesday Sunny, high 54°, low 35°, 2% rain, wind 5–15 mph
  4. Thursday Partly Sunny, high 54°, low 32°, 4% rain, wind 0–10 mph
  5. Friday Mostly Sunny, high 54°, low 33°, 0% rain, wind 5 mph
  6. Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 57°, low 35°, 9% rain, wind 5–10 mph
  7. Sunday Sunny, high 57°, low 36°, 1% rain, wind 5–10 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 Norton 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.

Norton County grass production

In 2025, grassland and pasture in Norton County grew about 2,100 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 106% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 1,980 pounds per acre. That was the 16th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2016 at 2,342 pounds per acre; worst: 2002 at 1,012.

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 Norton 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

Norton 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
Lexington 69 miOct 30$441
Kearney 77 miOct 28$451
North Platte 103 miOct 20$469
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.

Price history · Barn map · Fed vs feeder cattle

All weights at the 3 nearest barns

Lexington 69 mi

Lexington, NE
Sale of Oct 30, 2026
CattleHead$/cwt≈ $/head
Heifers 400-499 lb160426.16$1,920
Heifers 500-599 lb275382.97$2,110
Heifers 600-699 lb161347.86$2,260
Heifers 700-799 lb10300.00$2,250
Steers 400-499 lb118482.35$2,170
Steers 500-599 lb456440.97$2,430
Steers 600-699 lb432384.54$2,500
Steers 700-799 lb60335.47$2,520

USDA report (PDF) · Price history

Kearney 77 mi

Kearney, NE
Sale of Oct 28, 2026
CattleHead$/cwt≈ $/head
Heifers 400-499 lb85439.58$1,980
Heifers 500-599 lb203392.49$2,160
Heifers 600-699 lb129395.91$2,570
Heifers 700-799 lb128346.65$2,600
Steers 400-499 lb66523.11$2,350
Steers 500-599 lb183450.86$2,480
Steers 600-699 lb221402.79$2,620
Steers 700-799 lb119372.99$2,800

USDA report (PDF) · Price history

North Platte 103 mi

North Platte, NE
Sale of Oct 20, 2026
CattleHead$/cwt≈ $/head
Heifers 400-499 lb238452.01$2,030
Heifers 500-599 lb427401.62$2,210
Heifers 600-699 lb115371.06$2,410
Heifers 700-799 lb63327.81$2,460
Steers 400-499 lb221523.06$2,350
Steers 500-599 lb561469.16$2,580
Steers 600-699 lb598420.30$2,730
Steers 700-799 lb43380.00$2,850

USDA report (PDF) · Price history

9 more within 200 mi: Imperial (105 mi), Ogallala (133 mi), Salina (139 mi), Dodge City (141 mi), Burwell (144 mi), Ericson (152 mi), Pratt (162 mi), Sterling (183 mi), Bassett (194 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 Oct 27, 2026.

See the drought map

Programs

Drought pasture pay (LFP)

On FSA's 2026 list for 8 pasture types. Up to 4 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 typeGrazing periodQualifying datePayments
Annual Crabgrass2026-04-16 to 2026-10-152026-04-164
Annual Ryegrass2026-04-16 to 2026-10-152026-04-164
Full Season Improved2026-04-16 to 2026-10-152026-04-164
Native Pasture2026-04-16 to 2026-10-152026-04-164
Long Season Small Grains2025-11-15 to 2026-05-012026-04-143
Forage Sorghum2026-08-01 to 2026-09-302026-08-282
Shrt Ssn Fall_Wtr Sml Grn2026-02-15 to 2026-05-012026-04-142
Short Ssn Spring Sml Grn2026-05-15 to 2026-06-152026-05-151

FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 2, 2026.

USDA disaster declarations

  • Apr 29, 2026 · Drought
    Norton declared · crop year 2026
  • Apr 29, 2026 · Drought
    Neighboring county declared (counts for Norton) · crop year 2026
  • Apr 15, 2026 · Drought
    Neighboring county declared (counts for Norton) · crop year 2026
  • Jul 24, 2025 · Drought
    Neighboring county declared (counts for Norton) · crop year 2025
  • Jul 24, 2025 · Drought
    Neighboring county declared (counts for Norton) · crop year 2025
  • Jul 14, 2025 · Drought
    Neighboring county declared (counts for Norton) · crop year 2025
  • Jul 14, 2025 · Drought
    Norton declared · 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 Norton 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

Data pending. KS: 403 Client Error: Forbidden for url: https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-animal-health/animal-diseases/new-world-screwworm
New FSA programs: watch list

Weather & fire

Next 7 days · National Weather Service

Weather for Norton County

Forecast for the center point of Norton County.

  • Freeze on 1 night
  • Windy on 2 days
  1. Today Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 71° 46° N 15–30 mph 81% rain
  2. Tue Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy 50° 34° NW 10–30 mph 48% rain
  3. Wed Sunny 54° 35° NW 5–15 mph 2% rain
  4. Thu Partly Sunny 54° 32° NW 0–10 mph 4% rain
  5. Fri Mostly Sunny 54° 33° W 5 mph 0% rain
  6. Sat Mostly Sunny 57° 35° NW 5–10 mph 9% rain
  7. Sun Sunny 57° 36° NW 5–10 mph 1% rain

Forecast from the National Weather Service, updated Nov 2, 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. Kansas has no statewide official burn-ban list; county commissions set bans and announce them locally (county emergency management or sheriff)

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

Weather warnings right now

None right now

National Weather Service active alerts for this county, as of Nov 2, 2026 (source). Fetched Nov 2, 2026.

Rainfall vs normal

Sep 2026
2.59 in 135% of normal
Last 12 months
18.08 in 78%
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, Oct 2025 to Sep 2026. Normal = NCEI's own 1991-2020 average for each month (Sep 2026 normal 1.92 in; same month last year 2.37 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 2, 2026.

Wildfires

No current fire perimeter in the county

No current perimeter within 100 mi of the county center (75 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 2, 2026. Source: National Interagency Fire Center. Fetched Nov 2, 2026.

Frost dates

Frost and freeze dates

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

Norton Dam weather station (3 mi away)

Typical last spring frostTypical first fall frost
Frost (32°F)
162-day growing season
May 1
1 year in 10 it's after May 15
Oct 12
1 year in 10 it's before Sep 29
Hard freeze (28°F)
181-day growing season
Apr 21
1 year in 10 it's after May 3
Oct 21
1 year in 10 it's before Oct 6

Norton 9sse weather station (4 mi away)

Typical last spring frostTypical first fall frost
Frost (32°F)
173-day growing season
Apr 27
1 year in 10 it's after May 11
Oct 17
1 year in 10 it's before Oct 1
Hard freeze (28°F)
192-day growing season
Apr 15
1 year in 10 it's after May 1
Oct 25
1 year in 10 it's before Oct 11

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Norton Dam, Norton 9sse), NOAA files as of Jun 27, 2023. Fetched Oct 18, 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.

CropNorton CountyNational average
Corn$2.45 /bu $2.42 /bu
Grain sorghum$3.98 /cwt
($2.23 /bu)
$2.42 /bu
Soybeans$6.52 /bu $6.82 /bu
Hard red winter wheat$3.49 /bu $3.72 /bu
Hard red spring wheat$3.91 /bu $3.72 /bu
Soft red winter wheat$3.12 /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 2, 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 2, 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.

2026 program year guarantees only FSA file of Jan 16, 2026

CropGuaranteeMost it can pay
Barley $268.11 $35.75
Corn irrigated $851.44 $113.52
Corn nonirrigated $369.41 $49.25
Dry Peas $211.45 $28.19
Grain Sorghum $305.80 $40.77
Oats $198.58 $26.48
Safflower $283.10 $37.75
Soybeans irrigated $645.57 $86.08
Soybeans nonirrigated $258.82 $34.51
Sunflower Seed $262.04 $34.94
Wheat irrigated $358.45 $47.79
Wheat nonirrigated $248.52 $33.14
Show the math
CropBenchmark yield × priceBenchmark revenue
Barley46.33 bushel/ac × $6.43$297.90
Corn irrigated188.08 bushel/ac × $5.03$946.04
Corn nonirrigated81.6 bushel/ac × $5.03$410.45
Dry Peas1573.61 pound/ac × $0.15$234.94
Grain Sorghum64.11 bushel/ac × $5.30$339.78
Oats56.0 bushel/ac × $3.94$220.64
Safflower1134.33 pound/ac × $0.28$314.55
Soybeans irrigated58.94 bushel/ac × $12.17$717.30
Soybeans nonirrigated23.63 bushel/ac × $12.17$287.58
Sunflower Seed1159.05 pound/ac × $0.25$291.15
Wheat irrigated57.06 bushel/ac × $6.98$398.28
Wheat nonirrigated39.56 bushel/ac × $6.98$276.13

Dollars per base acre, before the 85% payment-acre factor and sequestration. Source: FSA ARC-CO 2026 county data.

2025 program year final payment rates FSA file of Nov 2, 2026

CropGuaranteeActual revenueARC payment
Barley $210.43 $278.46$0.00
Corn irrigated $844.97 $861.54$0.00
Corn nonirrigated $369.41 $346.94$22.47
Dry Peas $240.65 $170.80$32.09
Grain Sorghum $312.91 $272.35$40.56
Oats $172.11 $187.34$0.00
Safflower $282.02 $153.00$37.60
Soybeans irrigated $645.57 $660.35$0.00
Soybeans nonirrigated $258.82 $270.80$0.00
Sunflower Seed $278.45 $370.03$0.00
Wheat irrigated $364.99 $197.34$48.66
Wheat nonirrigated $247.26 $136.82$32.97
Show the math
CropBenchmark yield × priceBenchmark revenue
Barley38.33 bushel/ac × $6.10$233.81
Corn irrigated186.65 bushel/ac × $5.03$938.85
Corn nonirrigated81.6 bushel/ac × $5.03$410.45
Dry Peas1810.33 pound/ac × $0.15$267.39
Grain Sorghum65.6 bushel/ac × $5.30$347.68
Oats49.8 bushel/ac × $3.84$191.23
Safflower1138.67 pound/ac × $0.28$313.36
Soybeans irrigated58.94 bushel/ac × $12.17$717.30
Soybeans nonirrigated23.63 bushel/ac × $12.17$287.58
Sunflower Seed1232.63 pound/ac × $0.25$309.39
Wheat irrigated58.1 bushel/ac × $6.98$405.54
Wheat nonirrigated39.36 bushel/ac × $6.98$274.73

Dollars per base acre, before the 85% payment-acre factor and sequestration. Source: FSA ARC-CO 2025 county 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 Norton County

$20,256,575

2,641 payments dated Jan 10, 2025 to Dec 29, 2025 (FSA payment file 2025).

ProgramYearTotal
Emergency Commodity Assistance Program2024$9,386,818
Supplemental disaster relief (crops)2023$6,167,915
Supplemental disaster relief (crops)2024$2,056,295
Emergency Livestock Relief (2023-24 drought)2023$1,105,746
ARC county payments2024$1,022,797
CRP annual rent2021$164,268
CRP annual rent2023$109,805
Livestock Forage Disaster Program (Cof)2025$70,814

Plus 17 smaller program lines.

County totals only: Cownty sums FSA's public payment file by county and never stores names or addresses. FSA files payments under its administrative county (Norton), which may differ from where the land is. Source: FSA payment file via the FOIA reading room.

Crop conditions (statewide)

Kansas crop and pasture condition

Kansas statewide, not just your county. Wheat planting is on pace with normal (86% vs 87%). From USDA's weekly Crop Progress report, week ending Nov 1, 2026.

ConditionPoor or
very poor
FairGood or
excellent
Winter Wheat20%33% 47%

Progress

KansasThis weekLast weekNormal (5-yr avg)
Winter Wheat Planted86%80%87%
Winter Wheat Emerged66%48%68%
Sorghum Harvested49%40%70%
Cotton Harvested30%21%35%
Corn Harvested86%79%87%

Source: USDA NASS Crop Progress released Nov 2, 2026 (ESMIS), Kansas rows. Week ending Nov 1, 2026. Fetched Nov 2, 2026.

Deadlines

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

Coming up: EQIP and CSP FY2027 first ranking cutoff (18 days left) · PRF rainfall insurance for 2027 (29 days left) · ARC/PLC 2026 election and enrollment (39 days left) · LFP, LIP and ELAP for 2026 losses (119 days left)

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: 2,100 lb per acre, a little above normal (106% of the 1991-2020 average of 1,980).

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 (46% 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 1, 2026.

Nearest USDA-reported sale barns

  1. Lexington Livestock Market Lexington, NE 69 mi · sells Fridays · latest USDA report Oct 30, 2026
  2. Huss Livestock Market Kearney, NE 77 mi · sells Wednesdays · latest USDA report Oct 28, 2026
  3. North Platte Stockyards North Platte, NE 103 mi · sells Tuesdays · latest USDA report Oct 20, 2026
  4. Imperial Auction Market Imperial, NE 105 mi · sells Fridays · latest USDA report Oct 23, 2026
  5. Ogallala Livestock Auction Ogallala, NE 133 mi · sells Thursdays · latest USDA report Oct 29, 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

Other barns nearby (not USDA-reported)

These barns are not in a USDA AMS report, so Cownty shows no prices for them. Sale days and phones come from the barns' own sites or public listings; call the barn to confirm. More barns

Common questions and nearby counties

Is Norton County eligible for LFP in 2026?

Yes. Norton 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.

Source: FSA LFP county file of Oct 29, 2026

What is the drought level in Norton County this week?

On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Norton County was in no drought, and the worst part was abnormally dry (D0) on 44% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, map of Oct 27, 2026

Is there a burn ban in Norton 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 Norton County?

The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Lexington (69 mi), last report Oct 30, 2026; Kearney (77 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; North Platte (103 mi), last report Oct 20, 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.