Kansas Farmers Get Extended Timeframe for ARC and PLC Decisions
Kansas farmers have more time than usual to decide which federal farm program will provide their best fit for the 2026 crop, thanks to a delayed deadline. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency announced that election and enrollment for the 2026 crop year will run from September 16 through December 11.
K-State Extension farm economist Robin Reid said that farmers can choose between the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, which provide income protection based on revenue or commodity prices. Producers can select ARC-County or PLC on a crop-by-crop basis for each FSA farm number.
Reid noted that this year's harvest offers an unusual opportunity to have more information about their crops before making the election. 'There is a real advantage this year by harvesting this crop before we are required to make the ARC/PLC decision,' she said, especially regarding wheat base prices, which have already started and have been published.