Reminder: Keep Close Tabs on Deadlines for Base Acre Reallocation and Yield Updates and ARC/PLC Election and Enrollment

The new 2014 Farm Bill created new Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.  Fall 2014 and early spring 2015 have important deadlines for these new programs.  Be sure to meet the deadlines for a one-time opportunity to reallocate the farm’s base acres or update yields.  According to an October 2, 2014 USDA FSA press release, land owners may visit their local FSA office from September 29, 2014 to February 27, 2015 to update yield history and/or reallocate base acres.  Then, between November 17, 2014 and March 31, 2015, farmers will need to make a one-time, irrevocable election for 2014-2018 crop years between ARC or PLC programs.  And then later, farmers will sign contracts to participate in ARC or PLC for the 2014 and 2015 crop years.  In a press release, FSA Administrator Val Dolcini said “The ARC and PLC programs are a significant reform in the farm safety net.”  “FSA wants to keep producers well informed on all steps in the process. We will continue our outreach efforts and maintain resources online to help them understand the new programs before they come in to make decisions for their operations,” said Dolcini.  Bottom line:  keep close tabs on the deadlines for these important programs and stay in contact with your local FSA office for details.

• USDA FSA website for ARC/PLC Programs, with online tools: (We have identified that the following link is no longer active, and it has been removed.)
• USDA FSA October 2, 2014 News Release: (We have identified that the following link is no longer active, and it has been removed.) 

• Read Full October 2014 Agricultural Law Update