LUBBOCK, TX – Producers must complete Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage enrollment by December 11 to remain eligible for potential 2026 payments, even if they do not change their program election. USDA says the annual enrollment contract is separate from the election decision.
Under Secretary Richard Fordyce emphasized the distinction during an Agribusiness Report interview. He said producers who fail to enroll their 2026 acres will not be eligible for ARC or PLC payments tied to that crop year.
Farmers can choose ARC-County, Price Loss Coverage, or ARC-Individual depending on the operation and covered commodity. Election changes for 2026 are optional, but enrollment itself is required.
If no new election is submitted by December 11, USDA says the farm’s 2025 election carries forward. However, the farm remains ineligible for 2026 payments without a signed enrollment contract.
Fordyce says land-grant universities can help producers compare program choices because Farm Service Agency employees cannot recommend which option to select.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Producers should not confuse keeping an existing ARC or PLC election with completing the enrollment required for 2026 payment eligibility.