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Kansas wheat producers have several farm program changes to keep on their radar, from higher wheat reference prices to 2026 ARC/PLC elections, new base acre opportunities and disaster relief payments.
In this episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind, Aaron Harries talks with David Schemm, state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Kansas, about how USDA is implementing recent farm program changes and what Kansas producers should watch next. Schemm explains why the updated wheat reference price matters, how 2025 ARC/PLC payments differ from the 2026 election process and why landowners should watch their mail for base acre notices. He also covers Farmer Bridge Assistance, Supplemental Disaster Relief Program payments, farmers.gov tools and how Kansas FSA is thinking about staffing and service in a time of low commodity prices and high input costs.
A key message for producers: stay connected with your county FSA office, make sure landowners are aware of base acre communications and get familiar with farmers.gov for faster access to records, forms and program information.
Key takeaways:
- The 2025 ARC/PLC process is different from 2026, when producers will need to make an annual election.
- New base acre opportunities are tied to the land, so landowners and tenant farmers need to communicate.
- Subsequent crop situations may require a decision about which crop receives updated base acres.
- Disaster relief and bridge assistance programs are moving quickly, so producers should check with their county FSA office.
- Farmers.gov and login.gov can help producers access records, acreage reports and other USDA tools online.
Timestamped Rundown
00:00 — Opening clip from David Schemm about tight timelines for producers reviewing base acres.
00:12 — Aaron Harries introduces the episode and identifies Schemm as state executive director for USDA Farm Service Agency in Kansas.
00:57 — The conversation opens with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what it means for Kansas farmers.
01:16 — Schemm explains the importance of the updated statutory reference price, especially for ARC and PLC payments.
02:23 — Schemm reflects on past farm bill testimony and his long-running push for a higher wheat reference price.
03:07 — Aaron notes the new $6.35 wheat reference price and connects it to high input costs.
03:44 — Schemm explains that 2025 ARC/PLC payments are handled differently, while 2026 will require producers to make an election.
04:40 — Discussion of why ARC/PLC payments are delayed until the marketing year average can be finalized.
05:50 — Aaron shifts to new base acres and asks about eligibility and process.
06:07 — Schemm explains FSA’s review of 2019–2023 planted acres and the national process for allocating available base acres.
07:30 — Schemm explains that 30 million additional base acres nationwide will likely be prorated because demand exceeds available acres.
08:30 — Discussion turns to Kansas cropping changes, especially in western Kansas where acreage has intensified beyond old wheat-fallow systems.
09:30 — Schemm says landowners should begin watching for base acre notices around the June 1 timeframe mentioned in the episode.
10:05 — He explains that notices are expected to be structured around opting out, because the default assumption is that eligible acres would be added.
10:20 — Schemm explains the “subsequent crop” issue, where landowners may need to choose between wheat acres and a later crop planted in the same crop year.
11:42 — Aaron emphasizes the need for tenants to communicate with absentee landowners.
12:31 — Schemm clarifies that this process is about adding base acres, not reallocating existing base acres.
13:08 — The conversation moves to the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program and how quickly payments were delivered.
14:28 — Aaron asks about the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program and Stage Two assistance for 2023 and 2024 losses.
15:20 — Schemm explains the SDRP top-up payment, Stage Two focus on shallow and quality losses and possible documentation needs.
16:30 — Schemm notes Kansas was heavily affected by 2023 and 2024 drought losses.
17:00 — Aaron shifts to technology, including “one farmer, one file,” farmers.gov and coordination between FSA, NRCS and RMA.
17:19 — Schemm describes USDA’s modernization push and how login.gov and farmers.gov can reduce trips to the FSA office.
19:15 — Schemm shares an example of a producer pulling FSA-578 acreage records online and sending them directly to a crop insurance agent.
21:00 — Aaron asks how technology connects to USDA reorganization and Kansas FSA staffing.
21:25 — Schemm discusses retirements, staffing needs, workload tools and hiring efforts for county offices, county executive director trainees and farm loan officer trainees.
25:58 — Aaron asks why it is important for farmers to stay in touch with FSA offices during low commodity prices and high input costs.
26:13 — Schemm encourages producers to stay connected because farm program changes, CRP opportunities and new tools are continuing to roll out.
28:40 — Aaron encourages listeners to bookmark farmers.gov.
29:06 — Schemm closes by emphasizing USDA’s focus on serving producers and encouraging farmers to contact county offices or use farmers.gov.
29:58 — Aaron wraps the episode and directs listeners to wheatsonyourmind.com, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Kansas Wheat
StoneX Agriculture Market Intelligence
USDA Wheat Data
