By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is opening enrollment for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2026 and 2027 crop years. The programs now include more than 30 million newly allocated base acres, marking the first major base-acre expansion in 20 years.
Producers can enroll for the 2026 crop year from September,16 to December,11, 2026, while enrollment for the 2027 crop year runs from November,2, 2026, to March 15, 2027. Because eligible acreage exceeded the national limit, a 3.69% reduction will apply only to newly allocated base acres.
Beginning September,16, 2026, landowners can access their base allocation notifications through Login.gov or their local FSA county office. USDA encourages producers to review their updated acreage information before making enrollment decisions.
Producers can choose ARC-County (ARC-CO) or PLC for crop-specific protection, or ARC-Individual (ARC-IC) for whole-farm coverage. While changing a program election is optional, enrollment still requires a signed contract each year.
Previous multi-year contracts expired in 2025, but producers may now enroll under a new multi-year agreement covering 2026 through 2031. Those who miss the December,11, 2026, election deadline will keep their 2025 election and become ineligible for 2026 program payments.
USDA has also expanded crop insurance flexibility by allowing producers to purchase Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) coverage regardless of their ARC or PLC election. The change provides growers with additional risk-management options while supporting financial stability.
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Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Government & Policy