USDA Unveils Details of ARC and PLC Coverage Options

Press Release

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled the details of the two new programs created by the 2014 Farm Bill: Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Congressman Kevin Cramer said agriculture producers now are able to gain a more complete picture of which program best suits their operation.

"The end of direct payments and the transition to the new risk mitigation programs is a significant shift in farm policy. Today, North Dakota farmers gained access to the full set of details on these programs, as well as new online tools which will aid the decision-making process by simulating different risk scenarios. It's important to keep in mind farmers have until early next spring to decide between ARC and PLC," said Cramer.

The new tools launched today by the USDA are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. Agriculture producers can enter details specific to their operation, and the program will compute projections of how each program would perform under future scenarios. Tools are available on the local level as well; the NDSU Extension Service received $43,525 in May to launch outreach and education efforts on the choice between the programs.

Beginning on Monday, September 29, local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will assist farmers in updating their yield history and reallocating base acres as they prepare to choose a program. Producers' choice between ARC and PLC will remain in effect between the 2014 and 2018 crop years.

Source