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
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: close, either one
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: close, either one
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: close, either one
Soybeans
Neither expected to payClose
Neither one is likely to pay on soybeans for 2026 at USDA’s price outlook ($12.00).
PLC only pays if soybeans average under $10.71 a bushel for 2026.
2027: leans ARC-CO
Neither expected to payClose
Neither one is likely to pay on soybeans for 2026 at USDA’s price outlook ($12.00).
PLC only pays if soybeans average under $10.71 a bushel for 2026.
2027: leans ARC-CO
Neither expected to payClose
Neither one is likely to pay on soybeans for 2026 at USDA’s price outlook ($12.00).
PLC only pays if soybeans average under $10.71 a bushel for 2026.
2027: leans ARC-CO
Smaller crops here
Each has under 1,400 enrolled base acres in the whole county (FSA, program year 2025).
Oats
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $17 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 $17 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 $17 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
Sunflower seed
Either oneClose
They come out less than $1 apart per base acre.
PLC only pays if sunflower seed averages under 23.75 cents a pound for 2026.
2027: waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 price
Either oneClose
They come out about $1 apart per base acre. Too small to matter.
PLC only pays if sunflower seed averages under 23.75 cents a pound for 2026.
2027: waiting on USDA’s closing 2025 price
Either oneClose
They come out about $1 apart per base acre. Too small to matter.
PLC only pays if sunflower seed averages under 23.75 cents a pound 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
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
Either oneClose
They come out less than $1 apart per base acre.
PLC only pays if wheat averages under $6.35 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
Sorghum
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. 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 $10 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 $8 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
Barley
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $10 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. Barley borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if barley averages under $5.58 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $10 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. Barley borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if barley averages under $5.58 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
ARC-COLeans
ARC-CO comes out about $9 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. Barley borrows corn’s price swings, so it stops at Leans.
PLC only pays if barley averages under $5.58 a bushel for 2026.
2027: no 2027 price yet
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 Howard County crop (FSA’s 2026 benchmark yield) and only the price moves.
Prices start from USDA’s projected 2026/27 season-average prices (USDA WASDE, Oct 9, 2026: corn $4.70, soybeans $12.00, oats $3.35, wheat $6.30, sorghum $4.50, barley $5.70; FSA table of Sep 11, 2026: sunflower seed $0.2470). 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. Oats, sunflower seed, wheat, sorghum, barley 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. Soybeans: USDA $12.00; futures-based $12.84 (Nov '26 October average so far, $12.89 over 5 of 22 trading days, × 0.996, the 2015 to 2025 average of final price / October futures). Here, the typical farm’s answer at that start: neither expected to pay (the same). 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); soybeans $12.17 (Nov 2027 soybean futures $12.45 (Oct 9, 2026) × 0.978, the 2011 to 2025 average of final MYA / February futures). Each scenario year also moves the county yield the way it moved that year. Oats, wheat, barley: no 2027 price outlook we can check against past years, so no 2027 answer. Sunflower seed, sorghum wait on USDA’s closing 2025 price, which sets the 2027 reference price.
Typical farm. FSA’s county average PLC yield (corn 158.8 bu; soybeans 45.8 bu; oats 58.7 bu; sunflower seed 834.0 lb; wheat 37.8 bu; sorghum 75.0 bu; barley 33.2 bu) 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
Corn
All practices
2026
$1.13
$6.42
Leans ARC-CO
Corn
All practices
2027
$12.33
$10.31
Either one
Soybeans
All practices
2026
$0
$0
Neither pays
Soybeans
All practices
2027
$3.70
$15.23
Leans ARC-CO
Oats
All practices
2026
$0
$16.89
Leans ARC-CO
Oats
All practices
2027
none
none
No 2027 price yet
Sunflower seed
All practices
2026
$1.16
$0
Either one
Sunflower seed
All practices
2027
none
none
Wait for USDA
Wheat
All practices
2026
$6.96
$8.94
Either one
Wheat
All practices
2027
none
none
No 2027 price yet
Sorghum
All practices
2026
$15.97
$25.98
Leans ARC-CO
Sorghum
All practices
2027
none
none
Wait for USDA
Barley
All practices
2026
$2.31
$12.11
Leans ARC-CO
Barley
All practices
2027
none
none
No 2027 price yet
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.
Corn 2026 in Howard County: Leans ARC-CO
All practices, 2026: Leans ARC-CO: expected about $5.29 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $1.13 PLC vs $6.42 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 $269.96 per base acre at the $2.42 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $114.59 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 $1.13 and ARC-CO $6.42 per base acre.
2027: Close, either one: about $2.02 apart, too small or too uncertain to call (expected $12.33 PLC vs $10.31 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 1 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 1). The 2027 view uses FSA’s 2026 benchmark; FSA posts 2027 later.
For a typical farm: FSA’s county average PLC yield 158.8 bu (program year 2025) and the official 223.35 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: 158.8 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)223.35 bu
Benchmark price 2026$5.03
Benchmark revenue$1,123.45/ac
Guarantee (90%)$1,011.11/ac
Max payment (12%)$134.81/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$114.59
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 213.11 · 2021: 237.33 (dropped) · 2022: 235.26 · 2023: 194.58 (dropped) · 2024: 221.68 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 223.35 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 228.8 bu, reaching its cap below 198.3 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 223.35 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 134.0 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% 156.3 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% 178.7 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% 201.0 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% 223.4 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
215.41
$3.70
225.13
none
2022
212.70
$3.70
225.50
none
2023
215.13
$3.98
187.26
none
2024
217.04
$4.85
216.80
none
2025
218.99
$5.03
225.59
$52.92
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.
Soybeans 2026 in Howard County: Neither expected to pay
All practices, 2026: Neither expected to pay (expected $0 PLC vs $0 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 0).
PLC pays on any season-average price below $10.71, up to $151.44 per base acre at the $6.82 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $74.77 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 0 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $12.00, PLC is expected to pay $0 and ARC-CO $0 per base acre.
2027: Leans ARC-CO: expected about $11.53 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $3.70 PLC vs $15.23 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 3). The 2027 view uses FSA’s 2026 benchmark; FSA posts 2027 later.
For a typical farm: FSA’s county average PLC yield 45.8 bu (program year 2025) and the official 60.23 bu benchmark. County yields from this county’s own FSA yields. Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled soybeans base in this county: 45.8 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)60.23 bu
Benchmark price 2026$12.17
Benchmark revenue$733.00/ac
Guarantee (90%)$659.70/ac
Max payment (12%)$87.96/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$74.77
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 60.84 · 2021: 66.67 (dropped) · 2022: 64.28 · 2023: 52.11 (dropped) · 2024: 55.56 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 60.23 bu.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($10.71/bu), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 61.6 bu, reaching its cap below 53.4 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 60.23 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 36.1 bu
PLC pays more at $8.27 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $8.28 to $10.95. Neither pays at $10.96 or higher.
70% 42.2 bu
PLC pays more at $8.62 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $8.63 to $10.95. Neither pays at $10.96 or higher.
80% 48.2 bu
PLC pays more at $8.88 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $8.89 to $10.95. Neither pays at $10.96 or higher.
90% 54.2 bu
PLC pays more at $9.08 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $9.09 to $10.95. Neither pays at $10.96 or higher.
100% 60.2 bu
PLC pays more at $9.24 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $9.25 to $10.95. Neither pays at $10.96 or higher.
FSA history, all practices
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
58.12
$8.95
64.17
none
2022
57.14
$9.12
62.28
none
2023
57.65
$9.57
50.61
none
2024
60.53
$11.12
54.56
$33.26
2025
60.32
$12.17
65.92
none
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 $16.89 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 $16.89 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 $42.41 per base acre at the $2.20 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $32.81 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 $16.89 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 58.7 bu (program year 2025) and the official 81.65 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: 58.7 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)81.65 bu
Benchmark price 2026$3.94
Benchmark revenue$321.70/ac
Guarantee (90%)$289.53/ac
Max payment (12%)$38.60/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$32.81
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 77.48 · 2021: 70.42 (dropped) · 2022: 77.86 · 2023: 89.6 · 2024: 90.78 (dropped) (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 81.65 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 94.9 bu, reaching its cap below 82.3 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 81.65 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 49.0 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% 57.2 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% 65.3 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% 73.5 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% 81.7 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
72.50
$2.55
70.42
none
2022
71.17
$2.67
77.86
none
2023
68.82
$2.75
89.60
none
2024
70.24
$3.38
90.78
none
2025
75.25
$3.84
70.31
$32.96
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.
Sunflower seed 2026 in Howard County: Close, either one
All practices, 2026: Close, either one: about $1.16 apart, too small or too uncertain to call (expected $1.16 PLC vs $0 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 3 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 0).
PLC pays on any season-average price below $0.2375, up to $89.68 per base acre at the $0.1110 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $47.09 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 0 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $0.2470, PLC is expected to pay $1.16 and ARC-CO $0 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 834.0 lb (program year 2025) and the official 1,837.94 lb benchmark. County yields from this county’s own FSA yields. Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled sunflower seed base in this county: 834.0 lb (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)1,837.94 lb
Benchmark price 2026$0.2512
Benchmark revenue$461.69/ac
Guarantee (90%)$415.52/ac
Max payment (12%)$55.40/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$47.09
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 1749 · 2021: 1506.36 (dropped) · 2022: 2312.75 (dropped) · 2023: 2242.29 · 2024: 1522.54 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 1,837.94 lb.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($0.2375/lb), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 1,749.6 lb, reaching its cap below 1,516.3 lb.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 1,837.94 lb county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 1,102.8 lb
PLC pays more at $0.1872 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $0.1873 to $0.2089. PLC pays more from $0.2090 to $0.2374. Neither pays at $0.2375 or higher.
70% 1,286.6 lb
PLC pays more at $0.1944 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $0.1945 to $0.1994. PLC pays more from $0.1995 to $0.2374. Neither pays at $0.2375 or higher.
80% 1,470.4 lb
PLC pays more at $0.2374 or lower. Neither pays at $0.2375 or higher.
90% 1,654.1 lb
PLC pays more at $0.2374 or lower. Neither pays at $0.2375 or higher.
100% 1,837.9 lb
PLC pays more at $0.2374 or lower. Neither pays at $0.2375 or higher.
FSA history, all practices
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
1,525.00
$0.2015
1506.36
none
2022
1,525.00
$0.2015
2312.75
none
2023
1,590.12
$0.2053
2242.29
none
2024
1,671.00
$0.2308
1522.54
none
2025
1,856.76
$0.2510
1809.80
none
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.
Wheat 2026 in Howard County: Close, either one
All practices, 2026: Close, either one: about $1.98 apart, too small or too uncertain to call (expected $6.96 PLC vs $8.94 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 6).
PLC pays on any season-average price below $6.35, up to $84.50 per base acre at the $3.72 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $41.69 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 $6.96 and ARC-CO $8.94 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 37.8 bu (program year 2025) and the official 58.55 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: 37.8 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)58.55 bu
Benchmark price 2026$6.98
Benchmark revenue$408.68/ac
Guarantee (90%)$367.81/ac
Max payment (12%)$49.04/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$41.69
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 56.62 · 2021: 58.53 · 2022: 56.27 (dropped) · 2023: 60.51 · 2024: 69.79 (dropped) (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 58.55 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 57.9 bu, reaching its cap below 50.2 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 58.55 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 35.1 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% 41.0 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% 46.8 bu
PLC pays more at $5.30 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $5.31 to $6.01. PLC pays more from $6.02 to $6.34. Neither pays at $6.35 or higher.
90% 52.7 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% 58.6 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
51.53
$5.50
58.53
none
2022
55.73
$5.50
56.27
none
2023
58.24
$5.50
60.51
none
2024
57.14
$6.21
69.79
none
2025
58.24
$6.98
61.39
$48.78
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 $10.01 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $15.97 PLC vs $25.98 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 $143.44 per base acre at the $2.42 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $49.72 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 $15.97 and ARC-CO $25.98 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 75.0 bu (program year 2025) and the official 91.97 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: 75.0 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)91.97 bu
Benchmark price 2026$5.30
Benchmark revenue$487.44/ac
Guarantee (90%)$438.70/ac
Max payment (12%)$58.49/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$49.72
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 101.45 (dropped) · 2021: 91.26 · 2022: 98.6 · 2023: 86.06 · 2024: 81.94 (dropped) (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 91.97 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 93.9 bu, reaching its cap below 81.4 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 91.97 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 55.2 bu
PLC pays more at $3.61 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $3.62 to $4.76. Neither pays at $4.77 or higher.
70% 64.4 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% 73.6 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% 82.8 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% 92.0 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
90.67
$3.95
91.26
none
2022
90.97
$3.95
98.60
none
2023
92.06
$4.31
86.06
none
2024
94.59
$5.01
81.94
$47.39
2025
94.59
$5.30
87.03
$60.16
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 $9.80 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $2.31 PLC vs $12.11 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 8). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings.
PLC pays on any season-average price below $5.58, up to $79.86 per base acre at the $2.75 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $42.69 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 8 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $5.70, PLC is expected to pay $2.31 and ARC-CO $12.11 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 33.2 bu (program year 2025) and the official 65.09 bu benchmark. County yields from this county’s own FSA yields. Run your own numbers in the calculator below.
Average PLC yield on enrolled barley base in this county: 33.2 bu (FSA, program year 2025). Your farm’s own is on the FSA-156EZ.
All practices: official 2026 ARC-CO benchmark
Benchmark yield (FSA)65.09 bu
Benchmark price 2026$6.43
Benchmark revenue$418.53/ac
Guarantee (90%)$376.68/ac
Max payment (12%)$50.22/ac
Max per base acre (×85%)$42.69
FSA trend-adjusted county yields (county yield or 80% of T-yield): 2020: 50.9 (dropped) · 2021: 52.13 · 2022: 73.35 · 2023: 88.19 (dropped) · 2024: 69.8 (struck: high and low). Middle three average: 65.09 bu.
At a season-average price equal to the 2026 effective reference price ($5.58/bu), PLC pays nothing and ARC-CO pays when the
county yield comes in below 67.5 bu, reaching its cap below 58.5 bu.
PLC vs ARC-CO break-even at a 65.09 bu county yield, 2026 prices
PLC yield, % of your official benchmark
Which pays more, by season-average price
60% 39.1 bu
PLC pays more at $4.29 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $4.30 to $5.78. Neither pays at $5.79 or higher.
70% 45.6 bu
PLC pays more at $4.47 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $4.48 to $5.78. Neither pays at $5.79 or higher.
80% 52.1 bu
PLC pays more at $4.61 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $4.62 to $5.78. Neither pays at $5.79 or higher.
90% 58.6 bu
PLC pays more at $4.72 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $4.73 to $5.78. Neither pays at $5.79 or higher.
100% 65.1 bu
PLC pays more at $4.80 or lower. ARC-CO pays more from $4.81 to $5.78. Neither pays at $5.79 or higher.
FSA history, all practices
Year
Benchmark
Price
County yield
ARC-CO $/ac
2021
55.28
$4.95
52.13
none
2022
56.24
$4.95
73.35
none
2023
55.29
$4.95
88.19
none
2024
60.99
$5.07
69.80
none
2025
62.77
$6.10
75.32
none
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.
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 Howard County
Should I pick ARC or PLC for corn in Howard County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans ARC-CO: expected about $5.29 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $1.13 PLC vs $6.42 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 $269.96 per base acre at the $2.42 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $114.59 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 $1.13 and ARC-CO $6.42 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 Howard County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for corn in Howard County, Iowa is 223.35 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 soybeans in Howard County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Neither expected to pay (expected $0 PLC vs $0 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 0). PLC pays on any season-average price below $10.71, up to $151.44 per base acre at the $6.82 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $74.77 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 0 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $12.00, PLC is expected to pay $0 and ARC-CO $0 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for soybeans in Howard County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for soybeans in Howard County, Iowa is 60.23 bu (all practices). The 2026 benchmark price is $12.17 per bushel. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.
Should I pick ARC or PLC for oats in Howard County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans ARC-CO: expected about $16.89 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 $16.89 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 $42.41 per base acre at the $2.20 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $32.81 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 $16.89 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 Howard County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for oats in Howard County, Iowa is 81.65 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 sunflower seed in Howard County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Close, either one: about $1.16 apart, too small or too uncertain to call (expected $1.16 PLC vs $0 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 3 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 0). PLC pays on any season-average price below $0.2375, up to $89.68 per base acre at the $0.1110 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $47.09 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 0 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $0.2470, PLC is expected to pay $1.16 and ARC-CO $0 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for sunflower seed in Howard County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for sunflower seed in Howard County, Iowa is 1,837.94 lb (all practices). The 2026 benchmark price is $0.2512 per pound. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.
Should I pick ARC or PLC for wheat in Howard County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Close, either one: about $1.98 apart, too small or too uncertain to call (expected $6.96 PLC vs $8.94 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 6). PLC pays on any season-average price below $6.35, up to $84.50 per base acre at the $3.72 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $41.69 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 $6.96 and ARC-CO $8.94 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 Howard County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for wheat in Howard County, Iowa is 58.55 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 sorghum in Howard County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans ARC-CO: expected about $10.01 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $15.97 PLC vs $25.98 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 $143.44 per base acre at the $2.42 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $49.72 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 $15.97 and ARC-CO $25.98 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 Howard County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for sorghum in Howard County, Iowa is 91.97 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 barley in Howard County for 2026?
For a typical farm (all practices): Leans ARC-CO: expected about $9.80 more per base acre; PLC did not pay more in any of the 11 years, but the gap is within the normal swing (expected $2.31 PLC vs $12.11 ARC-CO per base acre; PLC paid more in 0 of 11 past-year scenarios, ARC-CO in 8). Capped at Leans: this crop borrows corn’s price swings. PLC pays on any season-average price below $5.58, up to $79.86 per base acre at the $2.75 loan rate, so it protects against a deep price drop. ARC-CO is capped at $42.69 per base acre but also pays when the county’s yield is short; it paid something in 8 of the 11 past-year scenarios. With prices centered at $5.70, PLC is expected to pay $2.31 and ARC-CO $12.11 per base acre. Run your own PLC yield and base acres; the answer can change.
What is the ARC-CO benchmark yield for barley in Howard County?
FSA's official 2026 benchmark yield for barley in Howard County, Iowa is 65.09 bu (all practices). The 2026 benchmark price is $6.43 per bushel. FSA has not posted the 2027 benchmark.