BULLETIN NO.: MGR-99-024

TO:          All Reinsured Companies
             All Risk Management Field Offices

FROM:        Kenneth D. Ackerman    7-1-1999 /s/ Ken Ackerman
             Administrator

SUBJECT:     Summerfallow Practice 1999 Date Extension

BACKGROUND:

Conditions involving below normal temperatures and excessive moisture in the states of Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota are delaying seeding and preventing producers from timely completing summerfallow operations. The Crop Insurance Handbook, FCIC 18010, requires that summerfallow practices must be completed prior to June 15 in these states.

Summerfallow practices require the termination of plant growth prior to the above date, followed by a continuous chemical and/or mechanical weed control program. The control of plant growth allows for the storage of moisture in the soil for a later crop.

Dryland producers who have not been able to complete their summerfallow practice by the June 15 date will not qualify under the summerfallow practice for the 2000 crop year.

ACTION:

Wet weather is the primary reason producers may not be able to control plant growth prior to the currently established summerfallow deadline. Therefore, dryland producers in counties with a summerfallow practice will be allowed a summerfallow practice deadline of July 9, 1999, in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The tillage or chemical control of plant growth must have been completed prior to this extended date to be eligible for summerfallow practice for the 2000 crop year.

Crop acreage planted for harvest in 1999 and damaged must have been destroyed prior to the summerfallow date of June 15, 1999, to qualify for summerfallow practice in the 2000 crop year.

DISPOSAL: This bulletin will remain in effect until June 1, 2000.