Seward County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Seward County, KS was abnormally dry (D0), with 24% at moderate drought (D1); 24% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 100% four weeks earlier. Seward County has had 99% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 168% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans toward near-normal rain and the best rain chance this week is 79% on today (high 70°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Seward County (county seat: Liberal) with up to 4 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Beaver, 31 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 99% of normal
- Last 60 days 200% of normal
- Last 90 days 168% 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 toward near-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, high 70°, low 57°, 79% rain, wind 13–21 mph
- Monday Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 74°, low 45°, 51% rain, wind 15–24 mph
- Tuesday Mostly Sunny, high 61°, low 37°, 9% rain, wind 5–25 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 65°, low 38°, 26% rain, wind 5–8 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 61°, low 37°, 12% rain, wind 6–12 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 64°, low 40°, 12% rain, wind 5–6 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 64°, low 40°, 25% rain, wind 5–9 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 Seward 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
Seward 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver 31 mi | Oct 27 | $433 |
| Dodge City 61 mi | Oct 28 | $391 |
| Woodward 97 mi | Oct 29 | $394 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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
7 more within 200 mi: Dalhart (124 mi), Pratt (124 mi), Wildorado (154 mi), La Junta Winter (156 mi), La Junta LJLC (161 mi), Tulia (190 mi), El Reno (197 mi).
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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Kansas · County seat: Liberal
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Seward County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Seward 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 Seward County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Seward County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 24% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Seward 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 Seward County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Beaver (31 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Dodge City (61 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Woodward (97 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.