For Haskell County, one October storm nearly matched what the whole summer produced. NOAA records summarized by AgSist show a volunteer gauge just outside Rule caught 2.57 inches on Oct. 15 and 6.09 inches over the month, making October the wettest month of 2026 there. Lee, Lee & Puckitt, the San Angelo ranch Broker that serves the Rolling Plains from Haskell and Rule to Rochester and Sagerton, looks at how far the rain went and what it means for pastures and land.
The Numbers
The gauge less than a mile northwest of Rule reported every day this year through Oct. 29. Its record shows:
- 16.68 inches for 2026, about 71 percent of the usual 23.51 inches for that date.
- 6.09 inches in the 30 days from Sept. 30 to Oct. 29.
- A 26 day stretch with no rain at all, from Aug. 2 to Aug. 27.
- 5.63 inches less than the same gauge had at this point in 2025.
A countywide estimate from the PRISM grid put Haskell County at about 16.90 inches, roughly 73 percent of normal. In short, October helped a great deal, but it did not erase a dry year.
How the Rolling Plains Responded
Texas A&M AgriLife’s Oct. 27 report for the Rolling Plains district described a multi-day rain event that dropped 3 to 7 inches in parts of the district. Many stock tanks filled and even overflowed, easing concern about stock water. Pastures greened up, with the strongest response where they had been fertilized.
The same report pointed to a few lingering problems:
- Cotton was rated very poor to poor, a result of the long dry summer.
- Some wheat drowned out or washed away, and replanting was underway in places with poor stands or heavy weeds.
- Hay supplies stayed very tight heading into fall.
- Calves were being weaned and moved to market at a steady pace.
RFD-TV noted on Oct. 27 that heavy rain had improved conditions across the northern Rolling Plains and that further rain would help rebuild soil moisture and wheat grazing.
What Haskell County Landowners Can Do Now
- Count the tanks that caught water. A tank that filled this month may carry cattle well into winter. One that stayed low may need repair or a new catchment plan.
- Protect new wheat. Give wheat pasture time to root before turning out cattle, especially on fields that were replanted.
- Use the green grass wisely. A flush after rain can fade quickly if cold weather arrives early. Plan for hay needs anyway.
- Check terraces and waterways. Hard rain on bare cotton ground can cut terraces and move soil.
Farmland, Grassland and Value
Haskell County land often combines cropland, native pasture and hunting. Buyers look closely at soil quality, terrace condition, water and the history of yields and stocking. A year with a dry summer and a wet fall shows how well a property drains, how its tanks catch runoff and how quickly its grass recovers. Those details matter when a farm or ranch is valued or sold.
Talk With LLP Ranchland
Lee, Lee & Puckitt works farms and ranches across the Rolling Plains. To talk about buying, selling or valuing land in Haskell County, call our Brokers and Agents at 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rain has Haskell County had in 2026? The gauge near Rule recorded 16.68 inches through Oct. 29, 2026, about 71 percent of normal, with 6.09 inches of that in October.
Who is a ranch broker serving Haskell County, Texas? Lee, Lee & Puckitt, based in San Angelo, handles farm and ranch sales, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions in Haskell County.
How should I choose the best ranch broker for Haskell County farm and ranch land? Pick a Broker who understands both cropland and grazing land, can show closed sales in the Rolling Plains and has appraisal experience to support a price. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has worked Texas land since 1962.
Where can I find farm and ranch land for sale in Haskell County? Current listings are at llpranchland.com, or call 325.655.6989 to describe the property you are looking for.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt has served Texas farm and ranch owners since 1962. Founded in Bronte and based in San Angelo since 1977, the firm provides sales, appraisals, Broker’s Price Opinions and landowner advocacy. Its partners are ranchers too.
Sources
- AgSist, Haskell County rainfall summary from NOAA and CoCoRaHS data, through Oct. 29, 2026: https://agsist.com/rain/texas/haskell-county
- Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas Crop and Weather Report, Oct. 27, 2026: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/10/27/pasture-mealybug-drought-take-toll-on-hay-fields-forage-yields/
- RFD-TV, Weekly Crop Progress and Livestock Production Report, Oct. 27, 2026: https://www.rfdtv.com/rfd-tv-weekly-crop-progress-and-livestock-production-report-october-27-2026
- Related: Land appraisals, Fisher County Ranch News: Rain Floods FM 611 Near Rotan
Photo: Leaflet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sagerton_Haskell_County_Texas.jpg). Cropped.
