Checklist for Smarter ARC/PLC and Base Acres Decisions
The rules changed. The math got harder. And the questions around ARC and PLC are not easy to answer.
Talk through this checklist with your agent before locking in choices.
The Higher-Of Rule for CY25 Farmers receive the higher payment of ARC or PLC, regardless of their election One time rule, CY25 only
USDA adding 30M new base acres First update since 2018.
DELAYED: Filing date for CY26 elections and base acres certification. Opening as early as mid-June or later Expected to remain open for 60 days
W H A T ’ S N E W
Lots of major changes rolled out with the OBBB Act. Three stand out.
Acres are automatically updated unless the farmer opts out Farmers who haven’t reported plantings to FSA before can report to become eligible If national demand exceeds 30MM acres, a pro-rated reduction applies.
SCO + ARC can NOW be taken together. Means you can elect ARC or PLC regardless of your crop insurance coverage, unless you took STAX for cotton, which is not eligible for either
If you don’t have your '25 acres, request these forms from FSA office:
CCC-866 (includes producer share %)
USDA suggests calculations will be automatic; however, some special situations may require farmer updates.
FSA-156EZ (includes historical irrigated % - HIP)
W H A T T O D O F I R S T
STEP 1 – Review current 2025 base acres.
STEP 2 – Get updated 2026 base acres from FSA office, including additions and reallocations.
STEP 3 – Consider the impact of critical program details on projected payouts.
Review payment limitations – $155,000 a year per person or per legal entity, HIP and producer share (%)
STEP 4 – Make 2026 ARC/PLC decision.
Stress test potential ARC vs PLC payments based on expected price and yield for CY26
STEP 5 – File ARC/PLC decision with FSA.
STEP 6 – Understand your true 2026 coverage.
With elections finalized, pull together a coverage report showing ARC/PLC + crop insurance side by side lenders will want this
Know your projected ARC/PLC payments.
Run CY25 and CY26 to better manage cash flow
Pays when crop revenue drops below a guaranteed level factoring in both price and yield. Two options: ARC-County, most common election, uses county-level yields; ARC-Individual uses the farmer’s actual yields across all covered commodities Payments trigger on 85% of base acres (ARC-CO) or 65% (ARC-IC)
T W O P R O G R A M S . D I F F E R E N T T R I G G E R S .
Pays when the national Market Year Average (MYA) price falls below the effective reference price price only, no yield component Payments trigger on 85% of base acres
ARC (Agriculture Risk Coverage) *Strongly consider if you have yield concerns
Is the farm more exposed to price risk or revenue risk? The answer impacts the election With CY25’s Higher-Of Rule, the stakes are lower but CY26 is a real decision.
PLC (Price Loss Coverage) *Strongly consider if you only have price concerns
The Key Question to Ask
Refer to the USDA FSA website or offices for official program guidance, details and deadlines for 2026 crop year program.
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