Quay County rain, outlook and forecast
On the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, most of Quay County, NM was in severe drought (D2); week 33 in a row with some severe drought (D2) or worse. Rain has run 151% of normal over the last 30 days (well above normal) and 178% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the NWS forecast peaks at a 83% rain chance on today (high 74°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Quay County (county seat: Tucumcari) with up to 4 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Clovis, 53 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 151% of normal
- Last 60 days 281% of normal
- Last 90 days 178% 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 6–10) Leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain)
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 8–14) Leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain)
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Oct 31, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 74°, low 54°, 83% rain, wind 15–25 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 71°, low 45°, 5% rain, wind 5–25 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 67°, low 42°, 0% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 69°, low 44°, 10% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 65°, low 40°, 1% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 67°, low 44°, 19% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Chance Rain Showers, high 65°, low 41°, 29% rain, wind 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 Quay 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
Quay 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clovis 53 mi | Oct 28 | $394 |
| Wildorado 81 mi | Oct 27 | $409 |
| Dalhart 84 mi | Oct 29 | $413 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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
All weights at the 3 nearest barns
5 more within 200 mi: Tulia (108 mi), Roswell (130 mi), Belen (186 mi), La Junta LJLC (197 mi), La Junta Winter (199 mi).
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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in New Mexico · County seat: Tucumcari
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Quay County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Quay 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 Quay County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Quay County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 58% of the county. 33 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Quay County?
No burn ban is listed for Quay County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Quay County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Clovis (53 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Wildorado (81 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Dalhart (84 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 10, 2026: First half of property taxes due to the county treasurer; 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.