PARKER, Colo. (RFD NEWS) — Several federal farm-program deadlines arrive in August, giving producers limited time to claim disaster aid, specialty-crop support, base-acre updates, and local committee participation. The Farm Service Agency urges farmers and landowners to review eligibility before offices become crowded.
Specialty-crop producers must apply by August 7 for payments based on reported 2025 planted acres. Applications may be available online or through local county offices.
The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program deadline is August 12. More than $16 billion is available for qualifying crop, tree, bush, and vine losses from 2023 and 2024, including insured, uninsured, shallow, and quality losses.
Eligible landowners have until August 31 to review possible base-acre increases for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage. Up to 30 million new base acres may be added nationwide for 2026 and future crop years.
County committee nominations close August 3. Producers should contact their local office now to confirm records, request applications, and avoid missing assistance because of incomplete paperwork or delayed appointments.
Marketing year average prices are now final for wheat, barley and oats, establishing payment rates for upcoming Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to explain what the finalized prices mean for potential program payments.
In his interview with RFD News, Neiffer said barley and oats both finished above their respective PLC reference prices, meaning neither crop will receive a PLC payment. However, he noted that some producers could still qualify for ARC payments depending on county yields.
Wheat, meanwhile, finished below its reference price, triggering a PLC payment. Neiffer said wheat producers are expected to receive PLC payments based on the difference between the final marketing year average price and the reference price, with PLC expected to provide a larger payment than ARC for most wheat producers.
Neiffer also discussed how wheat payments compare with corn. He said wheat is currently expected to generate a larger PLC payment than corn, although the final outcome for corn will depend on where its marketing year average price finishes.
Corn and soybean marketing year average prices will not be finalized until the end of August. Neiffer said those prices could still change before the marketing year closes.
