PARKER, COLORADO (RFD NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with a plan to increase base acres by up to 30 million acres, giving producers a clearer picture of how the process will work and when changes could take effect.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down the details of the process and the timeline for farmers
In his interview with RFD News, Neiffer explained that USDA changes to base acres will rely on a farm’s planted acreage history from 2019 through 2023, averaging those acres to determine potential increases. He noted that any additional acres beyond a farm’s current base will be allocated proportionally across crops planted during that period, though a pro rata reduction is expected if total eligible acres exceed the 30 million-acre cap.
Neiffer said local USDA offices are currently compiling acreage data through mid-May, after which farmers will have about 90 days to review and make corrections. As a result, final base acre numbers are not expected until sometime in the fall.
He added that the extended timeline could help farmers make more informed decisions about which ARC or PLC program to choose, depending on yield conditions in their counties.
Finally, he shared his perspective on the broader Farm Bill process, noting the legislation still faces hurdles in the Senate but could provide longer-term certainty for producers.
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