BULLETIN NO.: MGR-96-030

TO:       All Reinsured Companies
          All Risk Management Field Offices
          FSA Headquarters, Program Delivery and Field Operations
          
FROM:     Kenneth D. Ackerman
          Deputy Administrator

SUBJECT:  Extension of Deadline to Apply for Late Planting Agreement Option


BACKGROUND:

Abnormally cool and wet climatic conditions in the upper Midwest have resulted 
in poor planting conditions.  At this time, weather and cropland conditions 
in many states indicate that excessive moisture will be a major concern, and 
some producers may not be able to complete planting by the final planting 
date for their crop.

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) is beginning to receive 
requests to extend the final planting date to give producers more time to 
complete their planting and have multiple peril crop insurance coverage.  
However, the Late Planting Agreement Option is the contractual vehicle to 
provide coverage on crop acreage planted after the final planting date.  
While many crops have late planting provisions as part of the crop policy, 
the following crops require the insured to sign a Late Planting Agreement 
Option before the final planting date for the crop.

     C&P Beans                C&F Sweet Corn
     C&P Tomatoes             Dry Beans
     Guaranteed tobacco       Onions
     Peanuts                  Peas (Green and Dry)
     Popcorn                  Potatoes
     Quota Tobacco            Safflower Seed
     Sugar Beets
     

ACTION:

To provide late planting coverage to insureds who may not have been aware of 
the requirement to sign the Late Planting Agreement Option for the above 
crops, the FCIC will allow insureds to sign the Late Planting Agreement 
Option up to the end of the late planting period (20 days past the final 
planting date for the crop).