Cotton Producers Must Select 2026 Program Elections
Farmers face a December 11 deadline to choose between Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage plans.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Agriculture
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Cotton producers across the United States must officially elect either Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) for the 2026 crop year. This decision follows the expiration of a 2025 provision that previously allowed growers to receive the higher of the two program payments.
Why it matters
The removal of the one-time 2025 payment treatment forces producers to commit to a single risk management strategy for their upcoming harvest. Careful selection is required because farm-specific outcomes depend on these distinct program structures.
Producers face a firm December 11 deadline to finalize their program enrollment for the 2026 crop year. This date marks the end of the special 2025 provision that allowed for combined payment considerations.
The players
Farm Service Agency
This federal agency operates under the U.S. Department of Agriculture and manages farm commodity and conservation programs for producers.
The details
Farmers must navigate these enrollment choices independently of the Stacked Income Protection Plan, as those acres remain ineligible for ARC or PLC payments. While Supplemental Coverage Option remains an available tool, producers should conduct farm-specific calculations to ensure their election aligns with expected market conditions.
Timeline
In 2025, producers were permitted to receive the higher of ARC or PLC payments.
For the 2026 crop year, farmers must choose between the two programs.
The official enrollment deadline is December 11, 2026.
Market Landscape
This transition aligns with the standard enrollment cycle defined by the 2014 Farm Bill commodity program structure. By moving away from the temporary 2025 payment treatment, the policy reasserts the necessity of selecting between traditional risk management instruments.
Producers must finalize their program selection by December 11 to maintain coverage eligibility for their 2026 cotton crop. Missing this deadline or failing to account for specific farm metrics could result in suboptimal financial protections for the season.
The takeaway
Producers should prioritize reviewing individual farm yield data before finalizing their 2026 program election. Proactive engagement with local agency resources is advised to manage the transition from the discontinued 2025 payment framework.
What happens next
Farm Service Agency offices are expected to see high volumes of enrollment activity as the December 11, 2026, deadline approaches.
Further reading
For more information on program requirements, visit the Agriculture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agroinsurance.
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