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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000007084-96-000023.txt : 19961015
<SEC-HEADER>0000007084-96-000023.hdr.sgml : 19961015
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000007084-96-000023
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFR14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		19961011
SROS:			NYSE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000007084
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FATS & OILS [2070]
		IRS NUMBER:				410129150
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFR14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00044
		FILM NUMBER:		96642391

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4666 FARIES PKWY
		CITY:			DECATUR
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			62526
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2174245200
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFR14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO 1996 PROXY
<TEXT>

          PAGE 1

                         (LOGO) ADM
               ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY
                              
                              

                                       October 11, 1996




Dear Stockholder:

The 1996 Archer-Daniels-Midland Annual Meeting, scheduled
for October 17, is now less than a week away.  It appears
that your proxy card for the Meeting has not been received
yet.  Because your vote is important, we have enclosed for
your convenience a new proxy card and a free overnight mail
return envelope.  Even if you have already returned a proxy
card, I strongly urge you to sign, date and return the
enclosed card at your earliest convenience to ensure that
your vote is received in time to be counted at the Meeting.

As I have previously written, your vote is particularly
important this year because, in addition to the election of
Directors (Item 1), there are several non-routine proposals
on the Agenda.  Items 2 & 3 seek shareholder approval of the
1996 Stock Option Plan and the Stock Unit Plan for
Nonemployee Directors, respectively.  By encouraging
ownership of ADM stock, the Plans are designed to align the
interests of the stockholders in higher stock prices with
those of the recipients who can most influence the creation
of stockholder value.  Your Board strongly recommends a vote
FOR Items 1-4.

There are also several stockholder proposals on the agenda
(Items 5-9).  In particular, Item 8 would require that a
majority of the Board members meet a narrow, inflexible
definition of "independence".  We have already made
significant changes to our Board following the
recommendations of the special Corporate Governance
Committee which mandated that a majority of the Directors
consist of outsiders "with no personal business or
professional relationship with the Company that is material
to it or the [individual] Directors".  This type of
materiality standard for outside Directors is the far better
course for ADM which, due to the extraordinary
characteristics of its business, requires Directors with
special credentials in agribusiness, commodities and world
trade to provide meaningful oversight of ADM's business.
Your Board strongly recommends a vote AGAINST Items 5-9.

Please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card with
your vote FOR Items 1-4 and AGAINST Items 5-9 as soon as
possible to ensure that your shares are voted in time for
the Meeting.  If you have any questions, or require any
assistance in voting your shares, please call our proxy
solicitor, Georgeson & Company Inc., toll-free, at 1 800-223-
2064.



Thank you for your support,


Very truly yours,

/s/Dwayne O. Andreas
Dwayne O. Andreas
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive


     If your shares of Common Stock are held in the name of
     bank or brokerage firm, only that firm can execute a
     proxy card on your behalf.  Please contact the person
     responsible for your account and give instructions for
     a proxy card to be voted FOR Items 1-4 and AGAINST
     Proposals 5-9.
     
     If you have questions or need assistance in voting your
     shares, please contact the firm assisting us in the
     solicitation of proxies:
     
                  GEORGESON & COMPANY, INC.
                      WALL STREET PLAZA
                  NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
                              
                  TOLL FREE: 1-800-223-2064
             BANKS & BROKERS CALL: 212-440-9800

1

</TEXT>
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