By Tyson Redpath, The Russell Group
The USDA has announced signup for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) Program and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Program covering the 2019 and 2020 crop years. Updated by the 2018 Farm Bill, these revised safety net programs allow California rice growers to enroll and elect coverage in crop-by-crop ARC-County or PLC, or ARC-individual for the entire farm, for program year 2019. This election will apply for the 2019 and 2020 crop years.
Growers have until March 15, 2020 to make this election. If this election isn’t made by that deadline, the program coverage defaults to the current election made under the 2014 Farm Bill.
Here’s a link to a helpful decision tool from Joe Outlaw of Texas A&M.
Once the 2019 election and enrollment are completed growers can then turn to 2020. Beginning on October 7 and lasting through June 30, 2020, growers can complete an enrollment contract for the 2020 crop year. The 2019 enrollment must be completed first however a grower waiting until October 7th can complete the 2019 and 2020 enrollment process during the same USDA office visit. During this enrollment, farm owners have a one-time opportunity to update PLC payment yields which will take effect with the 2020 crop year.
For 2021 through 2023, growers will have the choice to make a new election.
