Northwest Iowa — USDA’s Farm Service Agency is encouraging agricultural producers to enroll now in the Agriculture Risk Loss (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. March 15, 2020 is the enrollment deadline for the 2019 crop year.
Although more than 200,000 producers have enrolled to date, FSA anticipates 1.5 million producers will enroll for ARC and PLC. By enrolling soon, they say producers can beat the rush as the deadline nears.
FSA officials tell us that their staff members have multiple programs competing for their time and attention. Because of the importance and complexities of the ARC and PLC programs; and to ensure FSA meets your program delivery expectations, they ask farmers not to wait to start the enrollment process. They suggest calling your FSA county office and making an appointment soon to ensure your elections are made and contracts signed well ahead of the deadlines.
ARC and PLC provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms, say FSA officials.
Until March 15, producers who have not yet enrolled in ARC or PLC for 2019 can enroll for both 2019 and 2020 during the same visit to an FSA county office unless yield updates are requested. Additionally, farm owners have a one-time opportunity to update PLC payment yields that take effect beginning with crop year 2020. If the owner accompanies the producer to the office, the yield update and enrollments may be completed during the same office visit.
