Farmers can now enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2026 and 2027 crop years, following the first base acre expansion in 20 years. The update added more than 30 million new base acres nationwide. Because eligible acres exceeded the program’s cap, the USDA is applying a 3.69% reduction across all newly allocated base acres.

Farmers can make elections and enroll for 2026 from 9/16-12/11, and for 2027 from 11/2/26-3/15/27, with the option to sign a multi-year contract from 2026 through 2031.

Crop Insurance Considerations

Producers can now add SCO coverage or the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) regardless of their ARC or PLC election. Previously, producers who elected ARC-CO or ARC-IC were ineligible to purchase the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider for the same acres.

Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres for that farm.

For any questions, please contact your local FSA office and local ProAg agent before enrollment closes.

Read the full details in USDA FSA’s release.