Some Landowners Have Until August 31 to Review New Base Acres Assigned to Their Farms

The USDA Farm Service Agency has announced an opportunity for certain eligible farms to receive additional base acres under the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, commonly called ARC and PLC.

Base acres are not necessarily the same as the number of acres currently planted. They are part of the historical farm record USDA uses when determining eligibility and calculating certain commodity-program payments.

Eligible landowners should receive—or may already have received—a Base Acre Allocation Summary from their local FSA office. The summary identifies any additional base acres attributed to the farm and the options available for allocating those acres among eligible covered commodities.

What has changed?

Federal legislation enacted in 2025 authorized the addition of new base acres nationally. USDA is now implementing that provision.

For eligible farms, the change could increase the acreage used in future ARC or PLC payment calculations. The landowner may need to review the allocation and select from the options provided by FSA.

This is different from the broader Farm Bill currently being considered by Congress. The additional-base-acre opportunity is based on legislation that has already become law and is now being administered by USDA.

Who may be affected?

This development may affect landowners whose property:

• Has an existing USDA Farm Service Agency farm record
• Includes cropland that may qualify for additional base acres
• Has been planted to covered commodities or other eligible commodities during the applicable historical period
• Is enrolled in or associated with ARC or PLC
• Is leased to a producer who participates in USDA commodity programs

Families should pay particular attention when land is jointly owned, held in an estate, divided among heirs, held through a trust or entity, or operated by someone other than the titled owner.

The person farming the property may not be the person authorized to make the base-acre allocation decision.

What action may be needed?

Eligible landowners should:

• Look for a Base Acre Allocation Summary issued by FSA.
• Confirm that the listed owner, farm number, acreage and tract information are accurate.
• Review the allocation options with the local FSA office.
• Determine who has authority to make the election when the property has multiple owners.
• Submit any required election or allocation decision by August 31, 2026.

Do not assume that a tenant, farm operator, relative or property manager has completed the required review. Confirm responsibility directly.

Where should the information be verified?

Verify farm-specific information directly with the USDA Farm Service Agency county office that maintains the farm record.

Landowners should also consult:

• The official USDA Farm Service Agency announcement
• Farmers.gov
• The USDA Service Center Locator
• Written notices issued by the appropriate county FSA office

Congressional proposals, news reports and social-media summaries should not replace confirmation from FSA. The county office’s records will determine whether a particular farm is eligible and what action is available.