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Minnesota Department of Ag proposes Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is asking for feedback on its proposed Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule.

MDA Fertilizer Technical Unit Supervisor Larry Gunderson says the two-part rule is based on the Minnesota Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan.

“One part is in vulnerable groundwater areas, restricting the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and to frozen soils.”

He tells Brownfield vulnerable areas include soils featuring near-surface bedrock that cause rapid infiltration into groundwater.

Gunderson says the other part of the rule calls for Best Management Practices (BMP’s) where high nitrate levels exist.

“At first it’s a voluntary mechanism where farmers have the opportunity to follow those BMP’s.  Then, (if) they’re not following those practices after three growing seasons, Minnesota Department of Agriculture can require farmers to do so.”

He says everyone starts on a voluntary level.

MDA is hosting listening sessions throughout the summer, and plans to publish the final draft this fall.

The Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule is expected to be adopted in the fall of 2018.