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.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses market conditions, policy priorities, and his outlook for agriculture moving forward.
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NEFB President Mark McHargue recaps the Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention, producer sentiment in Nebraska, and discusses key issues facing agriculture.
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Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
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Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
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A disciplined, breakeven-based marketing plan helps protect margins and reduce risk, even when markets remain unpredictable.
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Alissa White with American Farmland Trust joined us to provide insight into climate resilience efforts and strategies to help farmers manage weather-related risks.
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University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to share practical health and safety guidance for managing respiratory and skin health during the winter season.
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Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
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NASDA declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. President Amanda Beal joins us to share NASDA’s new hub, which highlights the impact of women in agriculture worldwide.
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