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 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain and the best rain chance this week is 79% on today (high 68°). 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 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 Cloudy, high 68°, low 59°, 79% rain, wind 20–24 mph
- Monday Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 74°, low 44°, 58% rain, wind 17–26 mph
- Tuesday Mostly Sunny, high 60°, low 37°, 5% rain, wind 5–23 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 64°, low 39°, 23% rain, wind 7–8 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 59°, low 34°, 7% rain, wind 2–13 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 61°, low 38°, 9% rain, wind 5 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 63°, low 39°, 19% rain, wind 3–8 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)
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Drought pasture pay (LFP)
On FSA's 2026 list for 7 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 type | Grazing period | Qualifying date | Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Crabgrass | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-05 | 4 |
| Annual Ryegrass | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-05 | 4 |
| Full Season Improved | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-05 | 4 |
| Native Pasture | 2026-04-16 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-05-05 | 4 |
| Forage Sorghum | 2026-08-01 to 2026-09-30 | 2026-08-28 | 2 |
| Long Season Small Grains | 2025-11-15 to 2026-05-01 | 2026-04-20 | 1 |
| Short Ssn Spring Sml Grn | 2026-05-15 to 2026-06-15 | 2026-05-15 | 1 |
FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
USDA disaster declarations
- Jun 4, 2026 · Drought
Seward declared · crop year 2026 - Apr 24, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Seward) · crop year 2026 - Apr 15, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Seward) · crop year 2026 - Jun 2, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Seward) · crop year 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Seward) · 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
Open Seward 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 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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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.