The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), offer financial assistance to agricultural producers. The ARC program provides payments when the actual revenue for a farm is less than a guarantee set based on historical data and market conditions. The PLC program provides payments when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its effective reference price. These programs aim to protect farmers from significant income losses due to fluctuations in crop prices or revenue shortfalls. FSA announced the 2025 enrollment period for ARC and PLC from Jan. 21 to April 15. Read more in our Jan. 13, 2025 news release.
Eligible participants include agricultural producers who have an interest in a commodity grown on a farm with base acres.
- Enrollment starts: Jan. 21, 2025
- Deadline to enroll: April 15, 2025
To enroll in the ARC or PLC programs, agricultural producers can contact their local FSA office or apply for ARC and PLC online. The deadline to enroll is April 15. Enrollment involves selecting the desired program, providing necessary documentation, and adhering to application deadlines. More information and specific enrollment procedures can be obtained through local FSA offices.
Program Features
Covered Commodities
- 22 covered commodities including wheat, oats, barley, corn, grain sorghum, long grain rice, medium/short grain rice, temperate japonica rice, seed cotton, dry peas, lentils, large and small chickpeas soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seed, canola, flaxseed, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, crambe, and sesame seed.
- Program-specific reference prices and revenue guarantees.
Payment Triggers
- ARC payments are triggered when actual revenue falls below the guaranteed level.
- PLC payments are triggered when market year average prices fall below the effective reference price.
Benefits
- Provides financial support during periods of low prices or revenue shortfalls.
- Helps stabilize income for farmers and ranchers.
- Offers a safety net against market volatility.
Additional Benefits
- Financial Stability: Offers a safety net to manage price and revenue risks.
- Income Support: Helps maintain farm income stability during economic downturns.
- Flexibility: Producers can choose between ARC and PLC based on their individual needs and commodity markets.