USDA Announces ARC/PLC Payments for 2025 Crop Year

Watertown, Wis. [October 8, 2026] - The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that its Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are expected to provide approximately $13.8 billion in payments to eligible agricultural producers for the 2025 crop year. Corn growers are expected to receive $5 billion in payments.

For the 2025 crop year only, farmers will automatically receive the higher payment available under either ARC or PLC, regardless of which program they originally elected. The change is intended to provide producers with the greater benefit available under the programs. The payments are the result of provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law in 2025 and made changes to the farm safety net, including increasing statutory reference prices and modifying ARC and PLC payment calculations.

"These payments are an important piece of the farm safety net at a time when growers are dealing with low commodity prices and continued pressure on farm margins," said Paul Jarvis, president of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association and a Wautoma corn grower. "But a safety net isn't a business plan. Wisconsin farmers want strong markets that allow them to succeed without relying on government programs."

Beginning with the 2026 crop year, USDA will also add new base acres nationwide. Wisconsin is expected to receive a significant number of new base acres compared with many other states, in part because of the state's diverse crop rotations and the number of farms that have historically been short on base acres.

Updating base acres has been a longtime priority of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association. The change will help better reflect the crops being produced on Wisconsin farms and ensure more growers can participate in programs tied to base acres.

"Wisconsin farmers have been asking for a more accurate reflection of the crops they actually grow for a long time, and we're pleased to see new base acres being added," Jarvis said. "This is an issue WCGA has continued to make a priority, and we appreciate the work that went into getting this across the finish line."

While the ARC and PLC payments provide important short-term assistance, Wisconsin Corn continues to advocate for policies that strengthen demand and create reliable markets for corn.

"One of our top priorities is year-round E15," Jarvis said. "Expanding access to E15 would create more demand for Wisconsin-grown corn, support our state's ethanol plants and benefit the farmers who supply them. Strong markets and demand are the foundation of a healthy farm economy."

USDA will issue 2025 ARC and PLC payments to eligible producers as payment calculations are completed. Final payments will be reduced by the required 5.7% sequestration rate and may also be affected by applicable payment limitations.

Corn growers are encouraged to enroll and make elections between the programs for the 2026 crop year from before December 11, 2026, and for the 2027 crop year between November 2, 2026, through March 15, 2027.

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About Wisconsin Corn

Wisconsin Corn serves the state's corn growers through the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB) and Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA). The WCPB utilizes checkoff funds to develop and defend markets, fund research and provide education about corn and corn products. WCGA is a united, grassroots-driven member organization representing growers from across Wisconsin on important state and national agricultural issues in an effort to increase member profitability and opportunity. For more information, visit wicorn.org.