Rooks County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Rooks County, KS showed no drought on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map; four weeks earlier 85% of the county was abnormally dry (D0) or worse, now 0%. Rain has run 104% of normal over the last 30 days (near normal) and 152% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the NWS forecast peaks at a 68% rain chance on today (high 66°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Rooks County with up to 2 monthly payments, and Salina is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 99 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 104% of normal
- Last 60 days 194% of normal
- Last 90 days 152% 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 toward near-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 Chance Light Rain, high 66°, low 59°, 68% rain, wind 15–30 mph
- Monday Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance T-storms, high 75°, low 46°, 45% rain, wind 15–25 mph
- Tuesday Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny, high 53°, low 37°, 44% rain, wind 10–25 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 57°, low 37°, 8% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 54°, low 35°, 11% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 58°, low 39°, 4% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain, high 60°, low 40°, 19% rain, wind 5 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 1, 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 Rooks County is Dec 1, 2026, 30 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.
Rooks County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Rooks County grew about 2,129 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 101% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 2,108 pounds per acre. That was the 18th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2016 at 2,584 pounds per acre; worst: 1988 at 1,504.
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 Rooks 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
Rooks 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 4 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 Crabgrass | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-18 | 2 |
| Annual Ryegrass | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-18 | 2 |
| Full Season Improved | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-18 | 2 |
| Native Pasture | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-18 | 2 |
FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
USDA disaster declarations
- Apr 29, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Rooks) · crop year 2026 - Jul 24, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Rooks) · 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
Not on the list Rooks County is not on FSA's emergency haying and grazing list as of Oct 29, 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 Oct 29, 2026 · map · FSA program page. FSA posts a new file every Thursday. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
Animal health notices: Kansas
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 Rooks County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Rooks 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 Rooks County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Rooks County was in no drought, and the worst part was no drought on 0% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Rooks 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 Rooks County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Salina (99 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Dodge City (116 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Pratt (123 mi), last report Oct 29, 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.