MSU Farm Bill Analyzer 2026
DOWNLOADSeptember 16, 2025 - Jonathan LaPorte and Alan Ker
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EmailThe passage of H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act has brought several changes to Farm Bill commodity programs. For the 2026 production season, field crop producers will look to choose between updated programs of Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agricultural Loss Coverage (ARC). With several changes made to each program, deciding which program will work best for your farm can seem a bit complex.
Updated with the latest information on commodity programs, the MSU Farm Bill Analyzer decision tool examines potential risk scenarios you may experience in 2026. With those scenarios in mind, the analyzer identifies which Farm Bill program will provide the best protection.
There are two primary commodity programs featured within the decision tool: Agricultural Risk Coverage - County (ARC-CO) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). ARC-CO provides revenue-based payments when farm revenue falls below a “coverage guarantee” level. The PLC program provides price-based payments when prices are less than a “reference price.”
In years past, the decision tool has also considered how the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) insurance policy ties-in to the choice between ARC-CO and PLC. If chosen, the premium-based option of SCO had limited your Farm Bill program choice to PLC. One of the key changes brought within H.R. 1 is that SCO is now available regardless of which commodity program you elect. For this reason, the 2026 Farm Bill Analyzer does not include any crop insurance considerations. MSU Extension encourages meeting with crop specialist/insurance agents to discuss crop insurance options like SCO and how they may be a fit for your farm.
NOTES:
- As part of H.R. 1, producers will automatically receive the greater payment amount between PLC and ARC-CO for the 2025 growing season. Producers are encouraged to consider comparisons of how each program performed in 2025 as they weigh their 2026 sign-up decision.
- The tool is a macro-based Excel file.
To further assist with your sign-up decision, MSU Extension will once again be hosting a series of webinars as part of the Farm Policy & Risk Management Series. These sessions will help agricultural producers explore their options for 2026 Farm Bill commodity programs. MSU Extension experts will provide information on Farm Bill related updates for insurance, commodity programs, and more. Speakers will also walk through the decision between Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage program options, including a demonstration using the MSU Extension Farm Bill Analyzer. The analyzer helps showcase which programs may produce the most benefits for a producer’s individual needs. These are repeat sessions focusing on corn, soybeans, and wheat crops. Participants are encouraged to attend either or both sessions. A session recording will also be available following the last session.
The Farm Policy and Risk Management Series is a free program presented by Michigan State University Extension. To participate, registration is required. To register today, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/fprms25/
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