Rural Money: WASDE Report Adjustments Could Lower ARC and PLC Payments for Some Crops

Rising corn and soybean prices may lower expected payments for producers

PARKER, COLORADO (RFD News) — April’s WASDE Report is offering an updated look at marketing year average prices for major crops and what that could mean for Agriculture Risk Cover (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments later this year.

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down how those updated numbers could impact 2025 payments.

“We’re seeing an upward revision in corn and soybean prices,” Neiffer explained. “So the corn payment is now maybe in that $2 billion-$3 billion range. Maybe even a little bit less, and as long as we continue to see an improvement in corn and soybean prices, we’re going to see that estimated ARC and PLC payment for corn and soybeans continue to drop. We’re definitely seeing a drop.”

Neiffer says higher corn prices could significantly reduce PLC payments.

“If we go 25 cents higher, our PLC payment is basically going to be zero. So now, we still have some ARC because there’s going to be pockets in the country where the yields were lower than the normal.”

He says wheat could see stronger payments compared to other crops.

Neiffer also noted that tax season went smoothly overall, with more refunds among typical filers, though it was not particularly strong for farmers.

Related Stories
Agriculture Freedom Zones reflect rising concern that data center growth must not strain rural grids or displace productive farmland.
From projected drops in input costs to biofuel expansion and the USDA’s new “One Farmer, One File” initiative, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins shared key policy priorities at Commodity Classic that put farm issues back in the spotlight.
Liquidity management and cost control will matter most in 2026.
Food demand is stable but price-sensitive across rural markets. For agriculture and rural communities, the important signal is not optimism — it is stability.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer provided insight on updated PLC rate estimates, the role of base acres, and the upcoming enrollment window for ARC and PLC programs.
Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch explains the importance of timely enrollment, and how the program helps dairy producers safeguard their operations against volatile milk markets.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The Midwest event will feature hundreds of horses and offer nationwide bidding access to participants
A young exhibitor bring years of work and family tradition to the annual event.
Agricultural groups warn that the deal could limit competition and raise transportation costs for farmers
As a part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, women across the state are being recognized for shaping the future of agricutlure.
Higher prices are bringing relief to markets, but rising input costs are putting pressure on the producers.
From barns to show rings, producers and students say that livestock events offer economic opportunity and life lessons. Let’s take a look at some shows across the southeast in Georgia, Virginia and Louisiana.