Stafford County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Stafford County, KS was in severe drought (D2) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, and D2-or-worse drought has held there 11 weeks running. Stafford County has had 90% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 101% over 90 days; Monday carries the week's highest rain chance at 62% (high 78°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. Stafford County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 4 monthly payments, and Pratt is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 27 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 90% of normal
- Last 60 days 155% of normal
- Last 90 days 101% 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 66°, low 63°, 52% rain, wind 16–28 mph
- Monday Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 78°, low 49°, 62% rain, wind 10–32 mph
- Tuesday Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy, high 60°, low 41°, 35% rain, wind 7–26 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 63°, low 40°, 25% rain, wind 2–8 mph
- Thursday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 59°, low 38°, 20% rain, wind 2–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 62°, low 41°, 3% rain, wind 3 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 65°, low 43°, 20% rain, wind 3–7 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 Stafford 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.
Stafford County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Stafford County grew about 2,460 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 114% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 2,155 pounds per acre. That was the 7th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2007 at 2,576 pounds per acre; worst: 1986 at 1,034.
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 Stafford 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
Stafford 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 6 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 | 2026-09-14 | 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
Stafford declared · crop year 2026
"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 Oct 19, 2026). Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
CRP emergency haying and grazing
Open Stafford 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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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Stafford County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Stafford 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 Stafford County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Stafford County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 71% of the county. 11 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Stafford 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 Stafford County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Pratt (27 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Dodge City (72 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Salina (80 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.