Agricultural Economics, Department of
Center for Agricultural Profitability
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New Base Acres Available for Qualifying Farms
Date of this Version
6-8-2026
Document Type
Article
Citation
Meyer, A. “New Base Acres Available for Qualifying Farms.” CAP Series 26-0602, Center for Agricultural Profitability, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, June 8, 2026. DOI: 10.32873/unl.dc.cap087.
Abstract
One of the lesser-discussed provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the opportunity for landowners to receive additional base acres beginning in 2026 on their farms. For many farms, there is very little decision-making involved. If the farm qualifies for additional base acres, it makes sense to take advantage of the opportunity because more base acres generally equates to higher government program payments.
Importantly, this provision does not affect a farm's current base acres. Existing base acre crop designations and program yield remain unchanged. Producers and landowners cannot reallocate current base acres among crops or update their program yields through this process. The provision strictly adds new base acres where eligibility exists.