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Zapata County, TX

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CRP emergency haying & grazing: Zapata County is on FSA's list (since Sep 1, 2026). Check with your FSA county office first. Details · FSA list as of Oct 29, 2026.
Drought ModerateD1 · most of county Drought pay (LFP) Eligibleup to 5 payments Burn ban ONno outdoor burning Nearest barn –no 5-wt steer sale

Zapata County rain, outlook and forecast

Most of Zapata County, TX was in moderate drought (D1) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with 10% at severe drought (D2); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 9 straight weeks. Over 90 days rain is at 74% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 125% (above normal); Saturday carries the week's highest rain chance at 28% (high 80°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Zapata County with up to 5 monthly payments.

Rain vs normal

  • Last 30 days 125% of normal
  • Last 60 days 98% of normal
  • Last 90 days 74% 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 wetter than normal (40% chance of above-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

  1. Today Mostly Sunny, high 90°, low 70°, 1% rain, wind 2–6 mph
  2. Monday Partly Sunny, high 92°, low 72°, 3% rain, wind 5–10 mph
  3. Tuesday Partly Sunny, high 85°, low 63°, 5% rain, wind 0–12 mph
  4. Wednesday Sunny, high 83°, low 63°, 0% rain, wind 2 mph
  5. Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 86°, low 65°, 19% rain, wind 0–3 mph
  6. Friday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 82°, low 63°, 24% rain, wind 0–6 mph
  7. Saturday Chance Rain Showers, high 80°, low 60°, 28% rain, wind 0–6 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 Zapata 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.

Zapata County grass production

In 2025, grassland and pasture in Zapata County grew about 640 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 83% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 772 pounds per acre. That was the 16th lowest of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2007 at 1,543 pounds per acre; worst: 1989 at 0.

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 Zapata 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

Zapata 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)

  • Nov 13, 2026in 12 days
    Apply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 money
    NRCS 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 (Texas)
    Source: USDA NRCS · checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Dec 1, 2026in 30 days
    Last day to buy 2027 pasture rain insurance (PRF)
    Crop insurance (RMA)
    Details and source
    Plans: Rainfall Index
    Date posted: USDA crop insurance (RMA)
    Source: USDA RMA · more · checked Aug 28, 2026
  • Jan 1, 2027in 61 days
    Property values set for the tax year
    Texas property tax · January 1 every year · Tax Code Sec. 23.01(a)
    Details and source
    What the law saysDate that taxable values (except for inventories appraised Sept. 1) and qualification for certain exemptions are determined for the tax year (Secs. 11.42(a), 23.01(a), 23.12(f)).
    Date posted: Texas Comptroller Property Tax Law Deadlines (Tax Code Sec. 23.01(a))
    Source: Texas Comptroller · checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Feb 1, 2027in 92 days
    Last year's property taxes become delinquent if not paid
    Texas property tax · February 1 every year · Tax Code Sec. 31.02(a)
    Details and source
    What the law saysDate that taxes imposed the previous year become delinquent if a bill was mailed on or before Jan. 10 of the current year (Secs. 31.02(a), 31.04(a)).
    Date posted: Texas Comptroller Property Tax Law Deadlines (Tax Code Sec. 31.02(a))
    Source: Texas Comptroller · checked Nov 1, 2026
  • Mar 1, 2027in 120 days
    Livestock 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
    Rule: 7 CFR 1416.206(a) (FSA rule, Jan 17, 2025)
    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 (12 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

Guide: How to apply for EQIP or CSP

Guide: Texas 1-d-1 ag appraisal basics

Text me Zapata County changes

Nearest USDA-reported sale barns

  1. Giddings Livestock Commission Giddings, TX 259 mi · sells Mondays · latest USDA report Oct 26, 2026
  2. Producers Livestock Auction Co. San Angelo, TX 316 mi · sells Thursdays · latest USDA report Oct 29, 2026
  3. Tulia Livestock Auction Tulia, TX 543 mi · sells Thursdays · latest USDA report Oct 29, 2026

Miles are straight-line from the county center. Sale days come from the barns' recent USDA AMS reports; call the barn to confirm. All barns

Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Texas

Common questions and nearby counties

Is Zapata County eligible for LFP in 2026?

Yes. Zapata County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 5 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.

Source: FSA LFP county file of Oct 29, 2026

What is the drought level in Zapata County this week?

On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Zapata County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 10% of the county. 9 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, map of Oct 27, 2026

Is there a burn ban in Zapata County?

Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Zapata County (since Sep 13, 2011). Check with the county before burning.

Source: official state burn-ban map, as of Nov 1, 2026

What sale barns are near Zapata County?

No USDA-reported sale barn within 200 miles.

Source: USDA AMS Market News reports

What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?

Next: Nov 13, 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.