What pays more on your base acres for a typical farm here, crop by crop. 2026 signup ends Dec 11.
Is your farm’s PLC yield lower, about the same, or higher than most farms here?
Your PLC yield is on your farm’s FSA-156EZ. Not sure? Leave it on About the same.
Your main crops
Clear pickLeansCloseNo answer yet
Peanuts · irrigated
PLCLeans
PLC comes out about $73 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. ARC-CO did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Peanuts borrow corn’s price swings, so they stop at Leans.
PLC only pays if peanuts average under 31.5 cents a pound for 2026.
Figured with the county’s all-practice PLC yield; an irrigated farm’s own is often higher.
Non-irrigated ground: leans PLC.
2027: no 2027 price yet
PLCLeans
PLC comes out about $110 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. ARC-CO did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Peanuts borrow corn’s price swings, so they stop at Leans.
PLC only pays if peanuts average under 31.5 cents a pound for 2026.
Figured with the county’s all-practice PLC yield; an irrigated farm’s own is often higher.
Non-irrigated ground: ask your FSA office.
2027: no 2027 price yet
PLCLeans
PLC comes out about $146 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. ARC-CO did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Peanuts borrow corn’s price swings, so they stop at Leans.
PLC only pays if peanuts average under 31.5 cents a pound for 2026.
Figured with the county’s all-practice PLC yield; an irrigated farm’s own is often higher.
Non-irrigated ground: ask your FSA office.
2027: no 2027 price yet
Corn
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $5 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran.
PLC only pays if corn averages under $4.42 a bushel for 2026.
2027: ARC-CO
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $5 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran.
PLC only pays if corn averages under $4.42 a bushel for 2026.
2027: ARC-CO
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $5 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran.
PLC only pays if corn averages under $4.42 a bushel for 2026.
2027: ARC-CO
Smaller crops here
Each has under 700 enrolled base acres in the whole county (FSA, program year 2025).
Sorghum
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $7 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Sorghum borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if sorghum averages under $4.67 a bushel for 2026.
2027: waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 price
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $6 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Sorghum borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if sorghum averages under $4.67 a bushel for 2026.
2027: waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 price
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $4 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Sorghum borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if sorghum averages under $4.67 a bushel for 2026.
2027: waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 price
Wheat
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $3 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Wheat borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if wheat averages under $6.35 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $2 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Wheat borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if wheat averages under $6.35 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
Either oneClose
They come out about $2 apart per base acre. Too small to matter.
PLC only pays if wheat averages under $6.35 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
Oats
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $12 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Oats borrow corn’s price swings, so they stop at Leans.
PLC only pays if oats average under $3.05 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $12 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Oats borrow corn’s price swings, so they stop at Leans.
PLC only pays if oats average under $3.05 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $12 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. PLC did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Oats borrow corn’s price swings, so they stop at Leans.
PLC only pays if oats average under $3.05 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
Seed cotton
PLCLeans
PLC comes out about $16 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. ARC-CO did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Seed cotton borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if seed cotton averages under 42 cents a pound for 2026.
2027: waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 price
PLCLeans
PLC comes out about $19 more per base acre, but that swings from year to year. ARC-CO did not come out ahead in any of the 11 price years we ran. Seed cotton borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if seed cotton averages under 42 cents a pound for 2026.
2027: waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 price
Ask FSANo answer yet
A PLC yield that high is above the county benchmark yield, so this page cannot figure it. Ask your FSA office.
2027: waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 price
Deadlines
Dec 112026 signup ends Dec 11, 2026.
Nov 2 to Mar 152027 signup runs Nov 2, 2026 to Mar 15, 2027.
Skip itDo nothing for 2026 and that farm gets no 2026 payment.
SignEvery owner and operator on the farm signs.
BringBring the farm’s FSA-156EZ. It lists the base acres and PLC yields.
2026. The 2026 crop is mostly harvested, so each scenario uses a normal Gilchrist County crop (FSA’s 2026 benchmark yield) and only the price moves.
Prices start from USDA’s projected 2026/27 season-average prices (FSA table of Sep 11, 2026: peanuts $0.2400, seed cotton $0.4114; USDA WASDE, Oct 9, 2026: corn $4.70, sorghum $4.50, wheat $6.30, oats $3.35). Around that price we ran each past year with a final USDA price: how far that year’s final season-average
price ended from October futures, for corn and soybeans. Peanuts, sorghum, wheat, oats, seed cotton have no October futures history of their own, so they borrow corn’s October swings (wheat its own price changes, scaled to corn’s size) and stop at Leans.
Two price starts. Corn: USDA $4.70; futures-based $4.97 (Dec '26 October average so far, $5.01 over 5 of 22 trading days, × 0.991, the 2015 to 2025 average of final price / October futures). Here, the typical farm’s answer at that start: neither expected to pay, against leans ARC-CO at USDA’s start. Where the two disagree on which program leads, or on a clear pick, a clear pick drops to Leans.
2027. Corn and soybeans start from futures: corn $4.91 (Dec 2027 corn futures $5.12 (Oct 9, 2026) × 0.959, the 2011 to 2025 average of final MYA / February futures). Each scenario year also moves the county yield the way it moved that year. Peanuts, wheat, oats: no 2027 price outlook we can check against past years, so no 2027 answer. Sorghum, seed cotton wait on USDA’s closing 2025 price, which sets the 2027 reference price.
Typical farm. FSA’s county average PLC yield (peanuts 3,803.1 lb; corn 105.0 bu; sorghum 39.4 bu; wheat 29.8 bu; oats 39.5 bu; seed cotton 1,390.0 lb) and FSA’s official benchmark. “Lower” and “Higher” mean 15% under or over the
county average. Payments are per base acre and count FSA’s 85% payment acres, before sequestration and payment limits.
How we call it.Clear pick when one program averages at least $2.00 more per base acre, the gap is more than t times its standard error
(2.26 for 10 years, 2.23 for 11), and it paid more in at least 3 of the years. Leans when the gap is at least $3.00 and one standard error, and it paid more in
at least 3 years. Close otherwise. When both round to $0: neither expected to pay.
Average payment per base acre over the scenario years, typical farm (about the same PLC yield).
Crop
Practice
Year
PLC
ARC-CO
Answer
Peanuts
Non-irrigated
2026
none
none
Ask FSA
Peanuts
Non-irrigated
2027
none
none
Ask FSA
Peanuts
Irrigated
2026
$242.45
$132.81
Leans PLC
Peanuts
Irrigated
2027
none
none
No 2027 price yet
Corn
All practices
2026
$0.75
$5.84
Leans ARC-CO
Corn
All practices
2027
$8.15
$38.13
ARC-CO
Sorghum
All practices
2026
$8.39
$13.98
Leans ARC-CO
Sorghum
All practices
2027
none
none
Wait for USDA
Wheat
All practices
2026
$5.49
$7.98
Leans ARC-CO
Wheat
All practices
2027
none
none
No 2027 price yet
Oats
All practices
2026
$0
$12.17
Leans ARC-CO
Oats
All practices
2027
none
none
No 2027 price yet
Seed cotton
All practices
2026
$20.66
$1.23
Leans PLC
Seed cotton
All practices
2027
none
none
Wait for USDA
Sources. FSA 2026 ARC-CO benchmark yields (county file of Jan 16, 2026); FSA county average PLC yields, program year 2025; FSA price tables of Sep 11, 2026; USDA WASDE, Oct 9, 2026; CME futures: Dec 2026 corn and Nov 2026 soybean October average through Oct 8, 2026; Dec 2027 corn and Nov 2027 soybean close of Oct 9, 2026; USDA NASS season-average prices for closed marketing years; FSA ARC-CO county files, program years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 (county yields and payments). Full method and back-test.
Non-irrigated: no typical-farm verdict. FSA’s average PLC yield for the county (3,803.1 lb) covers all practices and is above this benchmark (3,385.11 lb), so it does not describe a typical farm here. Run your own PLC yield below.
Irrigated, 2026: Leans PLC: expected about $109.65 more per base acre; ARC-CO did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $242.45 PLC vs $132.81 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 11 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 0). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings.
PLC pays on any season-average price below $0.3150, up to $387.92 per base acre at the $0.1950 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $153.04 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 11 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $0.2400, PLC is expected to pay $242.45 and ARC-CO $132.81 per base acre.
2027: No 2027 price yet: there is no 2027 price outlook for this crop we can check against past years, so no call. Type a price in the calculator to see the dollars. The 2027 view uses FSA’s 2026 benchmark; FSA posts 2027 later.
For a typical farm: FSA’s county average PLC yield 3,803.1 lb (program year 2025) and the official 4,763.23 lb benchmark. That PLC yield is FSA’s average over all practices, irrigated and not; an irrigated farm’s own is often higher. County yields from this county’s own FSA yields. Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled peanuts base in this county: 3,803.1 lb (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
Irrigated: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)4,763.23 lb
Benchmark price 2026$0.3150
Benchmark revenue$1,500.42/ac
Guarantee (90%)$1,350.38/ac
Max payment (12%)$180.05/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$153.04
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 4516.17 · 2021: 4870.36 · 2022: 4908.73 (dropped) · 2023: 4903.15 · 2024: 3861.47 (dropped) (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 4,763.23 lb.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($0.3150/lb), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 4,286.9 lb, reaching its cap below 3,715.3 lb.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 4,763.23 lb county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 2,857.9 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
70% 3,334.3 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
80% 3,810.6 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
90% 4,286.9 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
100% 4,763.2 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
FSA history, irrigated
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
5,124.95
$0.2675
4870.36
none
2022
4,818.60
$0.2675
4908.73
none
2023
4,936.67
$0.2675
4903.15
none
2024
5,056.99
$0.2675
3861.47
$135.27
2025
4,894.08
$0.3150
4879.01
$185.00
Program year; benchmark yield in lb/acre; benchmark price $/lb; actual county yield; ARC-CO payment rate per acre before the 85% factor. All from FSA’s files. Older program years use older windows and prices, so they are history, not this year’s benchmark.
Non-irrigated: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)3,385.11 lb
Benchmark price 2026$0.3150
Benchmark revenue$1,066.31/ac
Guarantee (90%)$959.68/ac
Max payment (12%)$127.96/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$108.76
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 2399.2 (dropped) · 2021: 2399.2 · 2022: 4172.97 · 2023: 4514.69 (dropped) · 2024: 3583.16 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 3,385.11 lb.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($0.3150/lb), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 3,046.6 lb, reaching its cap below 2,640.4 lb.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 3,385.11 lb county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 2,031.1 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
70% 2,369.6 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
80% 2,708.1 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
90% 3,046.6 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
100% 3,385.1 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3149 or lower. Neither pays at $0.3150 or higher.
FSA history, non-irrigated
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
3,527.00
$0.2675
2377.60
$94.35
2022
3,076.44
$0.2675
4172.97
none
2023
2,748.53
$0.2675
4514.69
none
2024
2,990.46
$0.2675
3583.16
none
2025
2,990.46
$0.3150
3144.10
$108.93
Program year; benchmark yield in lb/acre; benchmark price $/lb; actual county yield; ARC-CO payment rate per acre before the 85% factor. All from FSA’s files. Older program years use older windows and prices, so they are history, not this year’s benchmark.
Corn 2026 in Gilchrist County: Leans ARC-CO
All practices, 2026: Leans ARC-CO: expected about $5.09 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $0.75 PLC vs $5.84 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 4).
PLC pays on any season-average price below $4.42, up to $178.50 per base acre at the $2.42 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $104.20 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 4 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $4.70, PLC is expected to pay $0.75 and ARC-CO $5.84 per base acre.
2027: Pick ARC-CO (expected $8.15 PLC vs $38.13 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 5). The 2027 view uses FSA’s 2026 benchmark; FSA posts 2027 later.
For a typical farm: FSA’s county average PLC yield 105.0 bu (program year 2025) and the official 203.10 bu benchmark. County yields from this county’s own FSA yields. Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled corn base in this county: 105.0 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)203.10 bu
Benchmark price 2026$5.03
Benchmark revenue$1,021.59/ac
Guarantee (90%)$919.43/ac
Max payment (12%)$122.59/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$104.20
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 201.67 · 2021: 220.58 (dropped) · 2022: 218.37 · 2023: 188.25 (dropped) · 2024: 189.25 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 203.10 bu.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($4.42/bu), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 208.0 bu, reaching its cap below 180.3 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 203.10 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 121.9 bu
PLC pays more at $3.41 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.42 to $4.52. Neither pays at $4.53 or higher.
70% 142.2 bu
PLC pays more at $3.55 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.56 to $4.52. Neither pays at $4.53 or higher.
80% 162.5 bu
PLC pays more at $3.66 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.67 to $4.52. Neither pays at $4.53 or higher.
90% 182.8 bu
PLC pays more at $3.74 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.75 to $4.52. Neither pays at $4.53 or higher.
100% 203.1 bu
PLC pays more at $3.81 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.82 to $4.52. Neither pays at $4.53 or higher.
FSA history, all practices
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
181.67
$3.70
220.08
none
2022
190.96
$3.70
217.97
none
2023
205.54
$3.98
187.95
none
2024
211.20
$4.85
189.05
$79.35
2025
207.75
$5.03
185.47
$125.40
Program year; benchmark yield in bu/acre; benchmark price $/bu; actual county yield; ARC-CO payment rate per acre before the 85% factor. All from FSA’s files. Older program years use older windows and prices, so they are history, not this year’s benchmark.
All practices, 2026: Leans ARC-CO: expected about $5.59 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $8.39 PLC vs $13.98 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 9). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings.
PLC pays on any season-average price below $4.67, up to $75.35 per base acre at the $2.42 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $26.76 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 9 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $4.50, PLC is expected to pay $8.39 and ARC-CO $13.98 per base acre.
2027: Waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 season-average price, which sets the 2027 reference price. The 2027 view uses FSA’s 2026 benchmark; FSA posts 2027 later.
For a typical farm: FSA’s county average PLC yield 39.4 bu (program year 2025) and the official 49.50 bu benchmark. County yields from this county’s own FSA yields. Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled sorghum base in this county: 39.4 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)49.50 bu
Benchmark price 2026$5.30
Benchmark revenue$262.35/ac
Guarantee (90%)$236.12/ac
Max payment (12%)$31.48/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$26.76
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 48.8 · 2021: 47 (dropped) · 2022: 58.75 (dropped) · 2023: 49.3 · 2024: 50.4 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 49.50 bu.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($4.67/bu), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 50.6 bu, reaching its cap below 43.8 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 49.50 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 29.7 bu
PLC pays more at $3.60 or lower. Both pay the same at $3.61. ARC-CO pays more from $3.62 to $4.76. Neither pays at $4.77 or higher.
70% 34.7 bu
PLC pays more at $3.76 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.77 to $4.76. Neither pays at $4.77 or higher.
80% 39.6 bu
PLC pays more at $3.87 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.88 to $4.76. Neither pays at $4.77 or higher.
90% 44.6 bu
PLC pays more at $3.96 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.97 to $4.76. Neither pays at $4.77 or higher.
100% 49.5 bu
PLC pays more at $4.03 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $4.04 to $4.76. Neither pays at $4.77 or higher.
FSA history, all practices
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
44.47
$3.95
47.00
none
2022
46.60
$3.95
58.75
none
2023
47.27
$4.31
49.30
none
2024
49.60
$5.01
50.40
$8.58
2025
50.37
$5.30
49.50
$32.04
Program year; benchmark yield in bu/acre; benchmark price $/bu; actual county yield; ARC-CO payment rate per acre before the 85% factor. All from FSA’s files. Older program years use older windows and prices, so they are history, not this year’s benchmark.
Wheat 2026 in Gilchrist County: Leans ARC-CO
All practices, 2026: Leans ARC-CO: expected about $2.49 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $5.49 PLC vs $7.98 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 6). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings.
PLC pays on any season-average price below $6.35, up to $66.62 per base acre at the $3.72 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $37.19 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 6 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $6.30, PLC is expected to pay $5.49 and ARC-CO $7.98 per base acre.
2027: No 2027 price yet: there is no 2027 price outlook for this crop we can check against past years, so no call. Type a price in the calculator to see the dollars. The 2027 view uses FSA’s 2026 benchmark; FSA posts 2027 later.
For a typical farm: FSA’s county average PLC yield 29.8 bu (program year 2025) and the official 52.23 bu benchmark. County yields from this county’s own FSA yields. Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled wheat base in this county: 29.8 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)52.23 bu
Benchmark price 2026$6.98
Benchmark revenue$364.57/ac
Guarantee (90%)$328.11/ac
Max payment (12%)$43.75/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$37.19
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 35 (dropped) · 2021: 55.25 (dropped) · 2022: 53.3 · 2023: 50.4 · 2024: 53 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 52.23 bu.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($6.35/bu), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 51.7 bu, reaching its cap below 44.8 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 52.23 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 31.3 bu
PLC pays more at $4.95 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $4.96 to $6.18. PLC pays more from $6.19 to $6.34. Neither pays at $6.35 or higher.
70% 36.6 bu
PLC pays more at $5.15 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $5.16 to $6.12. PLC pays more from $6.13 to $6.34. Neither pays at $6.35 or higher.
80% 41.8 bu
PLC pays more at $5.30 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $5.31 to $6.00. Both pay the same at $6.01. PLC pays more from $6.02 to $6.34. Neither pays at $6.35 or higher.
90% 47.0 bu
PLC pays more at $5.41 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $5.42 to $5.66. Both pay the same at $5.67. PLC pays more from $5.68 to $6.34. Neither pays at $6.35 or higher.
100% 52.2 bu
PLC pays more at $6.34 or lower. Neither pays at $6.35 or higher.
FSA history, all practices
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
38.33
$5.50
55.25
none
2022
37.33
$5.50
53.30
none
2023
44.08
$5.50
50.40
none
2024
49.52
$6.21
53.00
none
2025
52.98
$6.98
52.20
$44.38
Program year; benchmark yield in bu/acre; benchmark price $/bu; actual county yield; ARC-CO payment rate per acre before the 85% factor. All from FSA’s files. Older program years use older windows and prices, so they are history, not this year’s benchmark.
All practices, 2026: Leans ARC-CO: expected about $12.17 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $0 PLC vs $12.17 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 9). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings.
PLC pays on any season-average price below $3.05, up to $28.54 per base acre at the $2.20 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $23.66 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 9 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $3.35, PLC is expected to pay $0 and ARC-CO $12.17 per base acre.
2027: No 2027 price yet: there is no 2027 price outlook for this crop we can check against past years, so no call. Type a price in the calculator to see the dollars. The 2027 view uses FSA’s 2026 benchmark; FSA posts 2027 later.
For a typical farm: FSA’s county average PLC yield 39.5 bu (program year 2025) and the official 58.87 bu benchmark. County yields from this county’s own FSA yields. Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled oats base in this county: 39.5 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)58.87 bu
Benchmark price 2026$3.94
Benchmark revenue$231.95/ac
Guarantee (90%)$208.75/ac
Max payment (12%)$27.83/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$23.66
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 60 · 2021: 48 (dropped) · 2022: 62.3 (dropped) · 2023: 58.7 · 2024: 57.9 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 58.87 bu.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($3.05/bu), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 68.4 bu, reaching its cap below 59.3 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 58.87 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 35.3 bu
PLC pays more at $2.26 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $2.27 to $3.54. Neither pays at $3.55 or higher.
70% 41.2 bu
PLC pays more at $2.37 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $2.38 to $3.54. Neither pays at $3.55 or higher.
80% 47.1 bu
PLC pays more at $2.45 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $2.46 to $3.54. Neither pays at $3.55 or higher.
90% 53.0 bu
PLC pays more at $2.52 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $2.53 to $3.54. Neither pays at $3.55 or higher.
100% 58.9 bu
PLC pays more at $2.57 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $2.58 to $3.54. Neither pays at $3.55 or higher.
FSA history, all practices
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
60.67
$2.55
48.00
none
2022
58.67
$2.67
62.30
none
2023
56.67
$2.75
58.70
none
2024
58.67
$3.38
57.90
none
2025
57.90
$3.84
58.90
$9.86
Program year; benchmark yield in bu/acre; benchmark price $/bu; actual county yield; ARC-CO payment rate per acre before the 85% factor. All from FSA’s files. Older program years use older windows and prices, so they are history, not this year’s benchmark.
Seed cotton 2026 in Gilchrist County: Leans PLC
FSA’s seed cotton price is its own weighted average of the upland cotton lint price and the cottonseed price. We use FSA’s seed cotton series as published and never build it from the lint price. All seed cotton counties.
All practices, 2026: Leans PLC: expected about $19.43 more per base acre; ARC-CO did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $20.66 PLC vs $1.23 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 8 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 0). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings.
PLC pays on any season-average price below $0.4200, up to $141.78 per base acre at the $0.3000 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $68.51 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 2 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $0.4114, PLC is expected to pay $20.66 and ARC-CO $1.23 per base acre.
2027: Waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 season-average price, which sets the 2027 reference price. The 2027 view uses FSA’s 2026 benchmark; FSA posts 2027 later.
For a typical farm: FSA’s county average PLC yield 1,390.0 lb (program year 2025) and the official 1,558.06 lb benchmark. County yields from the Florida average for this crop and practice (the county has fewer than 8 years). Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled seed cotton base in this county: 1,390.0 lb (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)1,558.06 lb
Benchmark price 2026$0.4311
Benchmark revenue$671.68/ac
Guarantee (90%)$604.51/ac
Max payment (12%)$80.60/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$68.51
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 1109.76 (dropped) · 2021: 1497.89 · 2022: 1761.19 (dropped) · 2023: 1513.51 · 2024: 1662.79 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 1,558.06 lb.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($0.4200/lb), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 1,439.3 lb, reaching its cap below 1,247.4 lb.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 1,558.06 lb county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 934.8 lb
PLC pays more at $0.3337 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $0.3338 to $0.3399. PLC pays more from $0.3400 to $0.4199. Neither pays at $0.4200 or higher.
70% 1,090.6 lb
PLC pays more at $0.4199 or lower. Neither pays at $0.4200 or higher.
80% 1,246.4 lb
PLC pays more at $0.4199 or lower. Neither pays at $0.4200 or higher.
90% 1,402.3 lb
PLC pays more at $0.4199 or lower. Neither pays at $0.4200 or higher.
100% 1,558.1 lb
PLC pays more at $0.4199 or lower. Neither pays at $0.4200 or higher.
FSA history, all practices
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2025
1,584.46
$0.4311
1645.80
$53.86
Program year; benchmark yield in lb/acre; benchmark price $/lb; actual county yield; ARC-CO payment rate per acre before the 85% factor. All from FSA’s files. Older program years use older windows and prices, so they are history, not this year’s benchmark.
Nothing from FSA here for soybeans. Ask the county FSA office for “the 2026 ARC-CO benchmark yield for my county, crop and practice (irrigated or non-irrigated)”, or look it up in FSA’s program data (file: ARC-CO benchmark yields and revenues, program year 2026). Then type it into the calculator.
Break-even prices are per base acre with both programs on 85% of base and 2026 prices. Your PLC yield is on the FSA-156EZ.
Run every number for your farm
Run your farm’s numbers
Run each crop on each FSA farm number separately. The election is made crop by crop, farm by farm.
FSA has separate irrigated and non-irrigated benchmarks here. A farm with both is weighted by its historical irrigated percentage on FSA’s records, not by what you plant this year.
From the FSA-156EZ. Base acres are not what you plant; each farm number has its own base.
On the FSA-156EZ for the farm. Each farm has its own.
Fills in from FSA’s official county file when we have it. You can type the number your county office gives you.
County average, not your farm. A normal year often comes in a bit above this.
USDA national season-average price for the marketing year, not your local cash price.
Goes on the printout and keeps each farm’s numbers apart on this device.
Loading FSA and USDA numbers for the calculator.
Questions about Gilchrist County
Should I pick ARC or PLC for peanuts in Gilchrist County for 2026?
For a typical farm (irrigated): Leans PLC: expected about $109.65 more per base acre; ARC-CO did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $242.45 PLC vs $132.81 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 11 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 0). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings. PLC pays on any season-average price below $0.3150, up to $387.92 per base acre at the $0.1950 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $153.04 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 11 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $0.2400, PLC is expected to pay $242.45 and ARC-CO $132.81 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for peanuts in Gilchrist County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for peanuts in Gilchrist County, Florida is 4,763.23 lb (irrigated); 3,385.11 lb (non-irrigated). The 2026 benchmark price is $0.3150 per pound. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.
Should I pick ARC or PLC for corn in Gilchrist County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans ARC-CO: expected about $5.09 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $0.75 PLC vs $5.84 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 4). PLC pays on any season-average price below $4.42, up to $178.50 per base acre at the $2.42 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $104.20 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 4 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $4.70, PLC is expected to pay $0.75 and ARC-CO $5.84 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for corn in Gilchrist County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for corn in Gilchrist County, Florida is 203.10 bu (all practices). The 2026 benchmark price is $5.03 per bushel. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.
Should I pick ARC or PLC for sorghum in Gilchrist County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans ARC-CO: expected about $5.59 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $8.39 PLC vs $13.98 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 9). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings. PLC pays on any season-average price below $4.67, up to $75.35 per base acre at the $2.42 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $26.76 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 9 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $4.50, PLC is expected to pay $8.39 and ARC-CO $13.98 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for sorghum in Gilchrist County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for sorghum in Gilchrist County, Florida is 49.50 bu (all practices). The 2026 benchmark price is $5.30 per bushel. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.
Should I pick ARC or PLC for wheat in Gilchrist County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans ARC-CO: expected about $2.49 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $5.49 PLC vs $7.98 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 6). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings. PLC pays on any season-average price below $6.35, up to $66.62 per base acre at the $3.72 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $37.19 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 6 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $6.30, PLC is expected to pay $5.49 and ARC-CO $7.98 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for wheat in Gilchrist County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for wheat in Gilchrist County, Florida is 52.23 bu (all practices). The 2026 benchmark price is $6.98 per bushel. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.
Should I pick ARC or PLC for oats in Gilchrist County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans ARC-CO: expected about $12.17 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $0 PLC vs $12.17 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 9). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings. PLC pays on any season-average price below $3.05, up to $28.54 per base acre at the $2.20 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $23.66 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 9 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $3.35, PLC is expected to pay $0 and ARC-CO $12.17 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for oats in Gilchrist County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for oats in Gilchrist County, Florida is 58.87 bu (all practices). The 2026 benchmark price is $3.94 per bushel. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.
Should I pick ARC or PLC for seed cotton in Gilchrist County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans PLC: expected about $19.43 more per base acre; ARC-CO did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $20.66 PLC vs $1.23 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 8 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 0). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings. PLC pays on any season-average price below $0.4200, up to $141.78 per base acre at the $0.3000 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $68.51 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 2 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $0.4114, PLC is expected to pay $20.66 and ARC-CO $1.23 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for seed cotton in Gilchrist County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for seed cotton in Gilchrist County, Florida is 1,558.06 lb (all practices). The 2026 benchmark price is $0.4311 per pound. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.