State Executive Director October Notes

By Craig A. McCain

FSA State Executive Director Louisiana

On Sept. 22 at 7:04 PM CST, fall officially began in the Northern Hemisphere, and with it we seem to have finally received some relief from extreme temperatures.

Relief from high temperatures while welcomed does not address the continuing drought conditions that we have experienced across the state for most or all the 2026 growing season. While dry conditions are certainly affecting our grazing and forage production, it has been helpful regarding protecting the quality and harvest of other row crops. However, it seems that everyone looks forward to some rainfall to provide some relief from the dry conditions.

I mentioned harvest and this makes me realize that we are nearing the end of what has been a difficult production year. In addition to drought and high temperatures, producers across all segments of agriculture have also dealt with increased costs of production. I am happy to report that the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTCA) made significant improvements to the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage (ARC/PLC) program, including increased reference prices and improvements to the effective reference price calculation. Additionally, for the 2025 crop year only, producers will automatically receive the higher payment rate of either ARC or PLC, regardless of their program election. These changes have allowed producers to receive significant, and in some cases, historic assistance.

FSA county offices across the state are currently issuing $446.4 million in 2025 ARC and/or PLC payments along with Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) annual rental payments, providing much needed support to producers and landowners. Additionally, the WFTCA authorized the first update to crop acreage bases in over 20 years, and Louisiana farms were allocated over 342,000 acres of additional base acres.

Due to ongoing drought conditions, Louisiana livestock producers have also received benefits from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program and Livestock Forage Disaster Program for grazing losses and increased costs of feeding and watering affected livestock.

This USDA support is in addition to assistance provided for 2023 and 2024 crop disaster losses that were addressed by Supplemental Disaster Relief Program and the $63.9 million dollars of capital investments made through the FSA Direct and Guaranteed Loan Programs during Fiscal year 2026.

I can assure you that Louisiana FSA stands ready to assist you as you close out the current crop year and begin planning for next year.