Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on March 26 issued an executive order that temporarily suspends Hours of Service (HOS) regulations for certain carriers to facilitate and expedite the delivery of anhydrous ammonia and other fertilizer to Montana’s farmers. The temporary suspension is in effect from April 1 to June 6, 2021.
The EO states that Montana farmers regularly face a compressed spring planting season and a narrow application window due to late snowfalls and wet conditions, unpaved roads, and long distances from ag retail facilities to the farm. The order also notes that fertilizer delivery drivers are designated as essential critical infrastructure workers by the Department of Homeland Security.
“Waiving hours of service requirements ensures that fertilizer haulers can meet the needs of the industry by delivering greater volumes in a short timeframe. We need to do everything we can so Montana farmers can get in the field to plant and produce their crops when they need to,” Gianforte said. “Limiting access to necessary inputs threatens their effective, timely planting. Today’s executive action halts regulations so our farmers can receive needed fertilizer without unnecessary delay.”