13 



Mr. MlNGE. In our previous discussions I have complained about 

 the calculation of the yield with respect to some of the Midwest 

 crops as being too modest and not reflecting the actual productivity 

 of the land. I have been told that the USDA has decided to go with 

 some historic yield figures or conservative yield estimates in part 

 for budgetary reasons as a way of trying to deal with the level of 

 payments. 



I am wondering if the figures used with respect to these specialty 

 crops are current typical yields in a decent year, or are they yields 

 which may be less based on historical figures and don't reflect cur- 

 rent productivity. 



Mr. Weber. We base the yield estimates on the previous 5 years. 

 We are dealing with things that have been frozen at a particular 

 level since the 1986 crop. 



Mr. MlNGE. So it is more favorable from the perspective of the 

 yields calculations? 



Mr. Weber. Yes. There is a provision with regard to nonprogram 

 crops that permits a producer who can bring in evidence to show 

 that the yield has been higher over the past 3 years to utilize that 

 higher yield in determining disaster benefits. 



Mr. MlNGE. A concern I have is that in designing the program 

 not only do we include specialties crops, so we are not discriminat- 

 ing against them, but are we not in the process of implementing 

 this discrimination in favor either so that all producers are on a 

 similar footing regardless of the type of crop or region of the coun- 

 try in which they are producing that crop, or whether or not it is 

 in a commodity program so we don't discriminate against those 

 who are growing crops in the program as opposed to those who are 

 not. 



Mr. Weber. Those differences in the legislation have been point- 

 ed out several times, and you have pointed them out several times 

 as well. 



Mr. MlNGE. I, as one member of the committee, would certainly 

 appreciate recommendations from your agency as to improvements 

 in the underlying legislation that you feel are necessary to both, 

 one, make the entire process fair from the point of view of the pro- 

 ducer or the farmer, and two, make it easier for you as an agency 

 to administer. 



You feel that you are making the best use of your staff resources 

 and being responsive to the communities that you are trying to 

 serve? 



Mr. Weber. We certainly look forward in the next months to 

 work with the Congress in trying to resolve these issues and make 

 the program fairer as well as more acceptable. 



Mr. MlNGE. In that vein, I would like to compliment you and 

 your agency for the positive way in which you have responded to 

 many of the problems I have seen over the last summer. I am deep- 

 ly appreciative of that. 



Mr. Weber. Thank you, sir. 



Mrs. Thurman. Mr. Weber, maybe you can have that material in 

 30 days or so. 



Mr. Weber. We will try to get there as quickly as possible. 



Mrs. Thurman. We would really appreciate that. Mr. Kingston. 



Mr. Kingston. Thank you, Madam Chairman. 



