MSU farm bill decision tool explained

By Andi Anderson

The Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is organizing a webinar series to help individuals navigate 2025 Farm Bill program decisions. With the recent extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, participants must select between Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agricultural Risk Coverage-County (ARC-CO) for their 2025 production plans. These decisions are essential for maximizing risk protection and program benefits.

The webinars are scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at 1 p.m., and Tuesday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. These repeat sessions, part of the Farm Policy and Risk Management Series, will cover essential topics, including updates on current policies, 2024 payment statistics, and decision-making strategies.

Key decisions for the 2025 Farm Bill include:

• Selecting between ARC-CO and PLC: ARC-CO provides revenue-based payments when revenue falls below the guaranteed level, while PLC offers price-based payments when prices dip below the reference price.
• Considering Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO): This premium-based insurance policy, when combined with PLC, may offer higher protection than ARC-CO but limits choices to PLC.

Participants will also learn to use the updated MSU Farm Bill Analyzer decision tool. This tool evaluates potential 2025 risk scenarios and identifies the most suitable Farm Bill program based on specific circumstances. It also compares the SCO and PLC combination against ARC-C.

The webinar is free, but registration is required. Participants are encouraged to discuss SCO premium estimates with crop specialists or insurance agents beforehand. Additional resources for calculating estimates will be provided during the sessions.

For more information and to register, visit MSU Extension Events. This comprehensive program is a valuable opportunity to gain insights and tools for informed decision-making in the upcoming Farm Bill season.

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