BULLETIN NO.: MGR-96-038

TO:      All Reinsured Companies
         All Risk Management Field Offices
         FSA Headquarters, Program Delivery and Field Operations

FROM:    Kenneth D. Ackerman
         Acting Administrator

SUBJECT: Acceptable Cover Crops for Prevented Planting Acreage

BACKGROUND:

Questions have been raised regarding the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation's 
(FCIC) position on acceptable cover crops on eligible prevented planting 
acreage.  A cover crop is a crop grown on fields between cropping seasons to 
protect the land from leaching and erosion.  

ACTION:

Acceptable cover crops which qualify for a full prevented planting guarantee 
are the following:  annual, biennial, or perennial grasses and legumes, 
including sweet sorghum, sorghum grass crosses, sudans, volunteer stands 
other than weeds, and crop residue from using no till or minimum till 
practices.  Barley, oats, rice, wheat, or any other small grains qualify if 
the seeds are planted or volunteered too late to reach the hard dough stage 
prior to the normal end of the growing season.  Such cover crops may be hayed 
or grazed only if allowed by policy provisions, but may not be harvested for 
grain or seed.  These cover crops are commonly recognized in the farming 
community and are consistent with those previously approved by the 
Department of Agriculture for ACR and CU acres.

Any insurable substitute crop for which the producer had elected insurance 
coverage, that is planted on acreage to be reported as prevented planting, 
must be reported and a premium will be earned and payable.