Enrollment for the USDA’s ARC and PLC safety net programs will not open until after the 2026 planting season, marking a notable shift in how and when producers make risk management decisions. AgroLatam reported the delay as the U.S. Department of Agriculture finalizes a sweeping 61-page rule to implement changes required under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025.
The final rule includes several significant updates to commodity programs. Among them are higher Price Loss Coverage reference prices, an increase in the Agriculture Risk Coverage guarantee level to 90 percent, and expanded base acre eligibility for producers who historically planted non-program crops. Those changes are intended to modernize the programs and better reflect current production and market conditions, but they also add layers of administrative complexity.
USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce said the delayed enrollment timeline reflects both the heavy workload currently facing the Farm Service Agency and the intricate nature of putting new federally mandated provisions into practice. “Whether that’s bonus depreciation, interest deductibility, R & D expensing, the 199a deduction, permanent death tax relief, something that I worked on, those are all investments that are going to pay off, because what they’re going to lead to is higher-paying jobs, better wages for people, and more money in their pocket.”
According to the final rule, producers may not enroll in ARC or PLC until after they have a clearer picture of their 2026 production and yields. That represents a significant departure from the traditional enrollment calendar and could allow farmers to make more informed program selections. However, the later timing may also compress the decision-making window, requiring producers to evaluate yields, prices, and program options in a shorter period once enrollment opens.
While ARC and PLC enrollment is delayed, other safety net programs are moving forward. Enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage program began Monday, January 12, providing dairy producers with continued access to margin protection as they navigate volatile feed costs and milk prices heading into 2026.
