BULLETIN NO.: MGR-96-060

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

FROM:    Kenneth D. Ackerman
         Acting Administrator

SUBJECT: Final Planting Date for Winter Wheat in South Dakota

BACKGROUND:

Producers in western South Dakota have delayed planting winter wheat because 
of poor moisture conditions and insect infestations (grasshoppers).  This 
seems to be a good management decision as producers in areas with 
grasshoppers have experienced damage to newly planted winter wheat fields.

The current final planting date for winter wheat in South Dakota is September 
30, 1996.  Because the late planting option does not apply to winter wheat in 
counties with both a winter and spring final planting date, producers have 
requested that the final planting date be extended.  The Billings Regional 
Service Office has determined that extending the final planting date into a 
period of better moisture conditions and less insect infestation/activity 
does not increase risk compared to acreage seeded in dry, insect-infested 
conditions.

ACTION:

Effective for the 1997 crop year, the final planting date for winter wheat in 
South Dakota has been extended to October 15, 1996.