On October 7, USDA’s Farm Service Agency issued Notice ARCPLC-126, announcing that processing of 2025 ARC/PLC payments would begin around October 8, 2026.
What Does This Mean for South Carolina Farmers?
Farmers participating in the 2025 ARC/PLC programs may begin receiving payments as USDA processes and authorizes those payments through local FSA offices.
Of particular importance, federal changes enacted through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act provide that FSA will pay the higher of the ARC-CO or PLC payment rate for each base commodity on the farm.
This provision is intended to provide producers with the benefit of the more favorable payment calculation for eligible base commodities.
For South Carolina producers, including those with base acres associated with corn, soybeans, peanuts, wheat, and other eligible commodities, this may provide additional financial support as farmers continue facing elevated production costs and challenging market conditions.
Important Dates
- October 8, 2026: USDA’s scheduled beginning of the 2025 ARC/PLC payment processing run.
- October 30, 2026: Deadline for FSA county offices to certify and sign all 2025 ARC/PLC payments.
These dates represent USDA’s administrative processing schedule and do not guarantee that every producer will receive payment on a particular date.
What Should Farmers Know?
1. Payments are being processed. USDA has initiated the process for distributing 2025 ARC/PLC program payments through FSA county offices.
2. The higher payment rate applies. For each base commodity, FSA will use the higher of the ARC-CO or PLC payment rates under the applicable federal provisions.
3. Payments are tied to program eligibility and base commodities. The actual payment a producer receives will depend on applicable program rules, eligible base acres, payment calculations, and other requirements.
4. October 30 is an FSA deadline. This is the deadline for county offices to certify and sign payments, not a new producer application deadline established by this notice.
5. Producers with questions should contact their local FSA office. County FSA personnel can provide information regarding individual program participation and payment status.
This update is provided for informational purposes. Individual eligibility, payment amounts, and payment timing are determined by USDA Farm Service Agency.