USDA offers one-time extension to update base acres, yield history

By Community Member | March 3, 2015 8:34 pm

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided a one-time extension deadline to update base acres or yield history to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.

“This is an important decision for producers, because these programs provide financial protection against unexpected changes in the marketplace,” said Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack. “we’re working to ensure that farmers got the time, information, and opportunities to have those final conversations, review their data, and to visit the Farm Service Agency to make those decisions.”

If no changes are made to yield history or base acres by Mar. 31, the farm’s current yield and base will be used. A program choice of ARC or PLC must be made by the aforementioned date or there will be no 2014 payments for the farm and the farm will default to PLC coverage through the 2018 crop year.

Covered commodities include barley, canola, chickpeas, corn, grain, and other crops. However, upland cotton is no longer covered.

To learn more, contact your local Farm Agency or visit http://offices.usda.gov.