West Lafayette, Ind. — The Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC) has issued new fertilizer application regulations to ensure proper nutrient management and protect farmers and the environment. The rules, effective Feb. 16, include staging and application restrictions for both chemical fertilizers and manure, and apply to anyone using fertilizers for producing an agricultural crop. Those applying less than 10 cubic yards in a year are not covered. Large permitted livestock operations that perform liquid nutrient applications already fall under the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Confined Feeding Operation laws. The new rule, however, extends to smaller producers mostly applying solid manure. "This is really a common-sense approach to nutrient management and preserving the environment," said OISC’s Ron Lemenager. "Most of our livestock producers already are doing these things, so the rule shouldn’t be a significant burden." The new rule requires both fertilizers and manure to be staged at least 300 feet away from surface water, water wells, and drainage inlets. Neither can be staged in a waterway, floodway or standing water. Manure must also be staged at least 100 feet from property lines and public roads, and 400 feet from residential buildings. Fertilizers cannot be applied directly to water, from a public road, or to saturated ground. Setback restrictions for manure application depend on type and application method. Solid manure applied via single-pass incorporation must be applied 500 feet from public water supplies, 25 feet from surface waters, 25 feet from sinkholes, 50 feet from water wells, and 5 feet from drainage inlets.
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