Thanks to provisions in the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” base acres are set to increase for farmers starting next year, with the maximum national increase limited to 30 million acres. Farm CPA and RFD-TV Tax Expert Paul Neiffer joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report for a closer look.
In his interview with RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander, Neifer provides details on the increase in base acres, how it varies state-by-state, and which states could see the most significant increases. He also explains how this will affect ARC and PLC payments, and provides other business planning tips for farmers and ranchers to prepare for this change.
Base acres represent a fixed, historical allocation of specific commodity crop acres for a farm, specifically designated for use within the programs administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). It’s important to note that these base acres are not contingent upon a farm’s current planting decisions; they are established retrospectively.
The determination of a farm’s eligibility for various government support programs, such as the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) initiatives, is fundamentally based on the established base acres. These government programs provide financial assistance, with payments calculated based on a farm’s historical production records, rather than any current season’s yields.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses spring allergies and respiratory illnesses on this week’s Rural Health Matters, offering advice on managing symptoms and knowing when to seek professional help.
March 04, 2026 04:22 PM
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Jeramy Stephens with National Land Realty explains how the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and ongoing ‘America First’ trade policy raise new questions about U.S. farmland values and agricultural market stability.
March 04, 2026 12:04 PM
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Roger McEowen of Washburn University School of Law joined us to discuss key legal and tax issues ranchers should consider as they recover from recent prairie fires across the Southern Plains.
March 03, 2026 01:06 PM
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China may no longer serve as a consistent anchor market for U.S. cotton exports. Lewis Williamson of HTS Commodities joined us to discuss the factors influencing planting decisions, river conditions, and what producers are considering as they finalize acreage plans for the season.
March 03, 2026 07:00 AM
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Falling commodity prices and rising costs continue to squeeze farm margins. Kip Jacobs with The Mosaic Company addresses fertilizer market pressures, nutrient use efficiency, and strategies growers can consider to protect their fertilizer investment this season.
March 03, 2026 05:00 AM
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Kurt Kovarik of Clean Fuels Alliance America joined us to break down the latest developments in the Renewable Fuel Standard rulemaking process and what it could mean for agriculture, energy markets, and rural economies.
March 02, 2026 02:25 PM
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