Stevens County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Stevens County, KS was abnormally dry (D0); 0% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 91% four weeks earlier. Over 90 days rain is at 177% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 183% (well above normal); the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans toward near-normal rain and the NWS forecast peaks at a 85% rain chance on today (high 69°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Stevens County (county seat: Hugoton) with up to 4 monthly payments, and Beaver is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 51 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 183% of normal
- Last 60 days 226% of normal
- Last 90 days 177% 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 69°, low 56°, 85% rain, wind 14–24 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 72°, low 44°, 63% rain, wind 16–25 mph
- Tuesday Mostly Sunny, high 59°, low 37°, 9% rain, wind 9–28 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 64°, low 39°, 29% rain, wind 6–9 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 60°, low 37°, 13% rain, wind 6–13 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 63°, low 40°, 15% rain, wind 6–7 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 62°, low 39°, 24% rain, wind 7–10 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 Stevens 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
Stevens 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 51 mi | Oct 27 | $433 |
| Dodge City 82 mi | Oct 28 | $391 |
| Dalhart 106 mi | Oct 29 | $413 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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
6 more within 200 mi: Woodward (120 mi), La Junta Winter (132 mi), La Junta LJLC (137 mi), Wildorado (146 mi), Pratt (148 mi), Tulia (186 mi).
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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Kansas · County seat: Hugoton
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Stevens County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Stevens 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 Stevens County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Stevens County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was abnormally dry (D0) on 100% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Stevens 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 Stevens County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Beaver (51 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Dodge City (82 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Dalhart (106 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.