Farmers are beginning to see the impact of expanded Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, with congressional agriculture leaders highlighting $13.8 billion in ARC and PLC support.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman of Arkansas and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania say the improvements include higher reference prices, updated payment limits, and more than 30 million new base acres.
USDA confirms the base-acre expansion is being implemented for the 2026 crop year, with producers currently making ARC or PLC elections and enrolling through December 11.
Boozman and Thompson say the changes are designed to provide producers with greater protection against market volatility and production losses.
USDA says ARC provides payments when actual farm revenue falls below a guarantee, while PLC payments are triggered when market prices fall below established reference prices.
The Working Families Tax Cuts also expanded access to disaster assistance programs and made crop insurance more affordable.
