BULLETIN NO.:   MGR-96-044

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

FROM:      Kenneth D. Ackerman
           Acting Administrator

SUBJECT:   Change of Sales Closing Date for Grapes in Specific Counties 
           in the Pacific Northwest Region

BACKGROUND:

Late winter and early spring weather conditions severely damaged grape vines 
in northern Oregon and central Washington.  Agricultural specialists expect 
some vineyards injured during the winter of 1995-1996 will show reduced yield 
potentials of between fifty and sixty five percent of a normal crop in 1997.

The Grape Endorsement (90-20) states grapes will not be insured if they are 
"produced by vines where there is less than a ninety percent (90%) stand of 
bearing vines based on the current planting pattern."  With damage being 
widespread, mandatory pre-acceptance field inspections will be required to 
protect against adverse selection and assure the 90% requirement is met. 
However, the current sales closing date of November 20 results in inspections 
being performed during the winter, when the difference between dead and 
merely dormant vines cannot be quickly determined.

ACTION:

To provide sufficient opportunity to inspect vineyards to confirm the 
presence of bearing vines before insurance attaches, the 1997 crop year 
sales closing date for grapes will be September 30, 1996 in the following 
counties:

   State       Counties

   Oregon      Morrow      (049)

   Washington  Benton      (005)
               Franklin    (021)
               Grant       (025)
               Klickitat   (039)
               Walla Walla (071)
               Yakima      (077)

This change is effective for the 1997 crop year only.  No other program dates 
are affected.