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 subsequently experienced crop losses or yield reductions due to 

 early frost damage on late-planted crops to receive assistance in 

 a timely manner. 



Beyond this level of assistance, ASA feels there are other 

 ways the Federal government can help producers to adjust to this 

 difficult crop year. One action of importance to soybean farmers 

 would be to waive assessment of the soybean marketing loan 

 origination fee for the 1993 crop. Under your leadership, the FY 

 1994 Budget Reconciliation Act eliminates the origination fee on 

 loans for soybeans and other oilseeds beginning with 1994 crops. 

 However, given the need for low-interest financing for planting 

 next year's crops, it would be beneficial if the loan origination 

 fee could be waived for 1993 crop soybeans. 



As you know, the full extent of crop losses will not be known 

 until harvest is completed. However, based on assessments to date, 

 it is apparent that crop damage is highly irregular, both between 

 farms and on individual farms tracks, particularly in the Mid west. 

 In some cases production on entire tracts have been lost due to 

 prevented planting or to flooding. 



Under current regulations, producers with complete losses on 

 individual tracks may not be eligible for Federal assistance if 

 total production on their farms does not trigger the disaster 

 threshold. In ASA's view, individual tracks, rather than farms, 



