Fertilizer Application Regulations for Growers

Indiana law directed the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) to develop a rule to ensure that fertilizer materials are distributed and used effectively and safely as plant nutrients and in a manner that protects water quality. This Rule went into effect February 16, 2013.

Staging Restrictions

Inorganic Fertilizer

• Stage 300 ft away from surface water, water well, drainage inlets (risers in field)
• Cannot stage in a waterway, floodway, or standing water
• Can be staged along property line
• Cover pile after 72 hours
• Apply to field within 30 days

Manure (Organic)

• Stage 300 ft away from surface water, water well, drainage inlets (risers in field)
• Cannot stage in a waterway, floodway, or standing water
• Cover, or berm, pile after 72 hours
• Stage 100 feet from property line or public road
• Stage 400 feet from residential buildings
• Do not stage on an area of greater than 6% slope unless gradient barrier
• Do not stage on the side of a hill
• Apply to field within 120 days

Application Plan

A written application plan is required by ALL growers who use at least 10 cubic yards or 4,000 gallons of ANY TYPE of fertilizer material.

Application Restrictions

Inorganic Fertilizer

• Do not apply directly to water
• Do not apply from a public road
• Do not apply to saturated ground
• Can apply to frozen ground

Manure (Organic)

Setback distances apply to anyone applying manure

Manure (organic) Application Restrictions to Highly Erodible Land (HEL)

Manure cannot be applied to HEL land UNLESS there is:

• At least 40% crop residue; or
• A vegetative crop.

Manure (organic) Application Restrictions to Frozen or Snow-covered Ground

1. Confined Feeding Operations (CFO) (IDEM-permitted) CANNOT apply manure to frozen ground, unless special permission granted by IDEM.
2. Manure from all sources (including CFO) CAN apply manure to frozen ground in the following circumstances:
   • Application allowed if equipment can inject or incorporate in that same day when the crop is not in the field. Application can be at full recommended rate.
     -OR-
   • If the equipment can only apply the manure to the surface without incorporation, then the following rules cover those surface-only applications:
     • Cannot apply within 200 ft of surface water
     • Cannot apply in floodway
     • Can apply up to 50% of next crop’s need
     • Cannot apply to greater than 2% slope UNLESS 40% residue or cover crop
     • Surface applications (no injection or incorporation) must follow setback distances

Manure Application Monitoring

1. Monitor soil conditions and weather forecast for the 24 before the application
2. Monitor surface water & field tile for change in color, flow or volume
3. If there is a change:
   • Report it as a spill to IDEM: (888) 233‐7745;
   • Stop the application immediately;
   • Stop or capture the effluent; and
   • Land apply or store the effluent.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Required CFO Manure Distribution Records:

• Applicator Name and Certification Number
• Amount and Nutrient Value
• Date

Required Application Records:

(Only Category 14 Certified Applicators)

• Location, Certified Applicator Name and Number, Type of Fertilizer, Nutrient Value, Rate/acre, Method, Date
• No specific form
• Kept for 2 years

Example: