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
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer has developed a detailed calculator to help producers navigate the program’s requirements. He joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to explain how it works.
Buying a real Christmas tree directly supports U.S. farmers facing rising import competition, long production cycles, and weather-driven risks.
Brooks York with AgriSompo joins us to offer an update on what agents are prioritizing as the calendar year winds down.
Fair market value shapes taxes, transitions, lending, and sales, making accurate valuation essential for long-term planning.
Strong yields and higher cattle prices helped stabilize conditions, but weak crop prices and rising carryover debt remain major challenges for Eleventh District farmers.
Jake Charleston, with Specialty Risk Insurance, joins us now for an industry update and advice for cattle producers as they consider options for managing the risks of a murky market.

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:

Roger McEowen of the Washburn School of Law discusses the lack of legal expertise in rural areas and a new program in Kansas aimed at addressing the issue.
Transporting pollinator colonies—primarily honey bee hives—is a major logistical operation in U.S. agriculture. Costs can vary widely depending on distance, fuel prices, labor, and timing.
Kaleigh Backstrom says her early involvement in 4-H helped set her on that path and sparked her interest in veterinary medicine.
Workshops give international bakers hands-on training with U.S. wheat products
The 91st anniversary of Black Sunday highlights how the Dust Bowl disaster led to modern soil conservation programs still shaping U.S. agriculture today.
A new partnership with the Montana Beef Council is bringing protein-packed refuel stations to high school sports tournaments across the state.