Smith County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Smith County, KS showed no drought on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map; four weeks earlier 1% of the county was abnormally dry (D0) or worse, now 0%. Over 90 days rain is at 185% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 139% (above normal); the best rain chance this week is 67% on today (high 65°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. FSA has not added Smith County to its 2026 LFP list, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Salina, 92 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 139% of normal
- Last 60 days 255% of normal
- Last 90 days 185% 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 65°, low 59°, 67% rain, wind 15–25 mph
- Monday Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance T-storms, high 75°, low 48°, 58% rain, wind 15–25 mph
- Tuesday Light Rain Likely, high 53°, low 38°, 55% rain, wind 10–25 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 57°, low 38°, 5% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Thursday Partly Sunny, high 54°, low 36°, 9% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 58°, low 39°, 3% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain, high 61°, low 41°, 16% rain, wind 5–10 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 Smith 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.
Smith County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Smith County grew about 2,298 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 106% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 2,172 pounds per acre. That was the 12th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2007 at 2,614 pounds per acre; worst: 2002 at 1,551.
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 Smith 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
A county next to Smith County is on IRS Notice 2026-54 (Osborne County, KS, Phillips County, KS, Rooks County, KS). The IRS counts your county plus every county touching it.
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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Nov 20, 2026in 19 daysApply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 moneyNRCS conservation programs
Details and source
NRCS takes applications year-round; apply by this date to be ranked for this fiscal year's funding.Date posted: NRCS Application Cutoff Dates page (Kansas)Source: USDA NRCS · checked Nov 1, 2026 -
Dec 1, 2026in 30 daysLast day to buy 2027 pasture rain insurance (PRF)Crop insurance (RMA)
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Dec 20, 2026in 49 daysProperty tax due: full amount or first halfKansas property tax · December 20 every year · K.S.A. 79-2004
Details and source
What the law says
Tax Payments Due - Full or first half: December 20 (K.S.A. 79-2004 Real 79-2004a Personal)Source: Kansas Department of Revenue · checked Nov 1, 2026 -
Mar 1, 2027in 120 daysCounty mails real-property valuation notices (by this date)Kansas property tax · March 1 every year · K.S.A. 79-1460
Details and source
What the law says
County to mail valuation notices: March 1 (K.S.A. 79-1460)Source: Kansas Department of Revenue · checked Nov 1, 2026 -
Mar 1, 2027in 120 daysLivestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP): application and papers for 2026 losses are due by this date.FSA disaster programs · 7 CFR 1416.206(a)
Details and source
Source: USDA FSA · checked Oct 18, 2026
All deadlines and report dates · FSA disaster-program deadlines are pending (no official feed).
Coming up: EQIP and CSP FY2027 first ranking cutoff (19 days left) · PRF rainfall insurance for 2027 (30 days left) · ARC/PLC 2026 election and enrollment (40 days left) · LFP, LIP and ELAP for 2026 losses (120 days left)
Guide: PRF insurance and the Dec 1 deadline
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Smith County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Not on FSA's 2026 LFP county list as of Oct 29, 2026. FSA updates the list as drought changes.
What is the drought level in Smith County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Smith 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 Smith 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 Smith County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Salina (92 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Pratt (148 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Dodge City (155 mi), last report Oct 28, 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.