April 30, 1997

BULLETIN NO.: MGR-97-018

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

FROM:     Kenneth D. Ackerman
          Administrator
          
SUBJECT:  Accepting Late Production Reports in Minnesota, North Dakota, and 
          South Dakota 


BACKGROUND:

The flood waters that are currently receding in Minnesota, North Dakota, and
South Dakota have had a devastating effect on the infrastructure of the
area surrounding the Red River.  In Minnesota, North Dakota, and South
Dakota producers are required by procedure to have provided last year's
production records to their agents by today.  Generally, producers who fail
to report their prior year production on time receive an assigned yield for
the year that can adversely affect their approved yield.  Due to the
reported damage to homes, offices, roads, etc., the Risk Management Agency
(RMA) received requests to allow additional time for production reporting
in the impacted areas.

After reviewing the situation, RMA has determined that current conditions may
preclude some producers from timely submitting their production reports.
RMA has concluded that allowing additional time to submit these records
does not represent increased vulnerability to the crop insurance program
given the current circumstances.

ACTION:

Insurance providers in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota may accept 
production reports until May 31, 1997, for those crops with an April 30,
1997 production reporting deadline.  Producers should be encouraged to
file these reports as soon as possible, to ensure that early claims can be
adjusted as soon as possible.