Now is the time to be getting into your county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and sign up for either the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. You have until March 15th to make your selections, but Iowa State FSA Director Amanda De Jong says there is no time like the present. De Jong says as you wrap up your crop plans and financials for 2020, make your appointments to elect your ARC or PLC coverages right away. So far there has been a slow start to sign-ups. De Jong says now is the best time to get into your local FSA offices. The longer you wait, the longer you may have to wait to get an appointment.
De Jong talks about the changes to both the ARC/PLC programs in the 2018 Farm Bill, which will give the producer much more flexibility. Including switching the program year to year and tailoring the programs to fit your operation the best.
De Jong says even if you are not 100% certain about which program to use, still come in and sign up. If you sign up for one program or the other and realize you need to make a change before the March 15th deadline, your local FSA office can help you easily make those adjustments.
De Jong also says with the concurrent CRP sign-ups, you are going to want to get your appointments made soon, so they can give you the time and attention you need.
For more information, talk to your local Farm Service Agency office.
