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September 11, 2023
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding farmers and commercial applicators that fall nitrogen fertilizer applications are restricted in some areas of the state. Under the MDA’s Groundwater Protection Rule, fall nitrogen fertilizer application is prohibited in vulnerable areas of Minnesota due to environmental concerns or risks. Areas with coarse-textured soils or areas above fractured bedrock or karst geology are the most vulnerable to nitrate loss and groundwater contamination.
The restrictions begin September 1 each year. Farmers are encouraged to check the online map prior to fall application to determine if their fields are subject to these restrictions. View a map of the vulnerable regions of the state. For more information on the restrictions outlined in the Groundwater Protection Rule, visit www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr.
In other areas of the state where fall nitrogen fertilizer application is allowed, the MDA advises farmers and commercial applicators to check soil temperatures and wait for cooler conditions. Research shows that delaying fall application of anhydrous ammonia and urea fertilizer, as well as manure, until the average soil temperatures reach 50 degrees F or cooler helps prevent nitrogen loss, protects water quality, and ensures more nitrogen will be available for next season’s crop.
To assist tracking soil temperature, the MDA provides real-time, 6-inch soil temperatures at 25 locations across the state. In addition, the MDA provides links to soil temperature from the University of Minnesota research stations and the North Dakota Ag Weather Network (NDAWN) weather stations. View the interactive map to find the current 6-inch soil temperature and the past week’s history.
Although the soil temperature network was established to support application of nitrogen fertilizer, it is equally useful for those applying manure in the fall. University of Minnesota Extension also recommends the same temperature delay (6-inch soil temperature below 50 degrees F) to prevent leaching losses.
For more information on the 6-inch Soil Temperature Network visit www.mda.state.mn.us/soiltemp.
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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us
1. Mini-bulk tanks that contain pesticides must be stored in secondary containment.
2. The capacity of the secondary containment area must be a minimum of 110% (roofed storage) or 125% (unroofed storage) of the largest mini-bulk container in the containment area. Displacement of other tanks must also be calculated as well.
3. Elevating mini-bulk tanks on metal stands or pallets equal to the height of the containment wall will eliminate any displacement volume and will ease access to mini-bulks in the containment area.
4. All mini-bulk tanks must be placed a minimum of one foot from the secondary containment wall or curb.
5. The secondary containment may not contain a drain or other similar opening. If such an opening exists it must be permanently plugged to prevent an incident.
Secondary Containment
1. Mini-bulk tanks that contain pesticides must be stored in secondary containment.
2. The capacity of the secondary containment area must be a minimum of 110% (roofed storage) or 125% (unroofed storage) of the largest mini-bulk container in the containment area. Displacement of other tanks must also be calculated as well.
3. Elevating mini-bulk tanks on metal stands or pallets equal to the height of the containment wall will eliminate any displacement volume and will ease access to mini-bulks in the containment area.
4. All mini-bulk tanks must be placed a minimum of one foot from the secondary containment wall or curb.
5. The secondary containment may not contain a drain or other similar opening. If such an opening exists it must be permanently plugged to prevent an incident.
Secondary containment for mini-bulk tanks do not have to be permitted prior to construction but must meet all requirements of the rule. (See the MDA fact sheet Pesticide Storage - Bulk Requirements.) If you are constructing a mini-bulk tank containment area and have plans to permit containment for 500 gallons tanks or larger in the future, the MDA strongly recommends that you submit the plans for review to ensure permit compliance prior to construction.
The MDA will review your construction plans upon request, but this is not required. However, if the containment is found to be inadequate, you must reconstruct to meet the rule.
Permit Information
Secondary containment for mini-bulk tanks do not have to be permitted prior to construction but must meet all requirements of the rule. (See the MDA fact sheet Pesticide Storage - Bulk Requirements.) If you are constructing a mini-bulk tank containment area and have plans to permit containment for 500 gallons tanks or larger in the future, the MDA strongly recommends that you submit the plans for review to ensure permit compliance prior to construction.
The MDA will review your construction plans upon request, but this is not required. However, if the containment is found to be inadequate, you must reconstruct to meet the rule.
1. Anytime liquid bulk pesticides are transferred from a mini-bulk container for the purpose of impregnating fertilizer, filling application equipment for filling another bulk container a load area is required.
2. Load areas for liquid bulk pesticide transfers must have a minimum 3 inch high curb regardless of the size. It must be constructed of concrete, metal, or other materials that are deemed compatible to pesticides by MDA during permit review.
3. Facilities storing mini-bulk tanks of a rated capacity of 250 to 499 U.S. gallons must have a load area with a minimum capacity of 500 U.S. gallons.
4. Facilities storing mini-bulk tanks of a rated capacity of 56 to 249 U.S. gallons must have a load area with a minimum capacity of 250 U.S. gallons.
5. If a sump is constructed in the load area it must comply with Minnesota Rules 1505.3070.
6. Load areas must be properly maintained. Cracks must be repaired as needed and remain liquid tight.
7. Load areas for dry bulk pesticide transfers do not require a 3 inch high curb but do require a load area constructed of impervious materials and must be elevated above the ground level.
Load Area Requirements
1. Anytime liquid bulk pesticides are transferred from a mini-bulk container for the purpose of impregnating fertilizer, filling application equipment for filling another bulk container a load area is required.
2. Load areas for liquid bulk pesticide transfers must have a minimum 3 inch high curb regardless of the size. It must be constructed of concrete, metal, or other materials that are deemed compatible to pesticides by MDA during permit review.
3. Facilities storing mini-bulk tanks of a rated capacity of 250 to 499 U.S. gallons must have a load area with a minimum capacity of 500 U.S. gallons.
4. Facilities storing mini-bulk tanks of a rated capacity of 56 to 249 U.S. gallons must have a load area with a minimum capacity of 250 U.S. gallons.
5. If a sump is constructed in the load area it must comply with Minnesota Rules 1505.3070.
6. Load areas must be properly maintained. Cracks must be repaired as needed and remain liquid tight.
7. Load areas for dry bulk pesticide transfers do not require a 3 inch high curb but do require a load area constructed of impervious materials and must be elevated above the ground level.
If mini-bulk pesticides are used to impregnate dry fertilizer, an elevated flat load pad is required. The pad must be constructed of reinforced concrete or other Commissioner-approved materials. The load pad must be adequate size to fully hold a release from the application equipment being loaded. Load pads must be managed in a manner that will prevent pesticide contaminated runoff from leaving the area.
When using mini-bulk pesticides to impregnate dry fertilizer, the mini-bulk tank and the inductor must be inside a secondary containment area. If you are using small packaged pesticides to impregnate, a load pad is not required, although it is recommended.
Impregnation Using Mini-Bulk Pesticides
If mini-bulk pesticides are used to impregnate dry fertilizer, an elevated flat load pad is required. The pad must be constructed of reinforced concrete or other Commissioner-approved materials. The load pad must be adequate size to fully hold a release from the application equipment being loaded. Load pads must be managed in a manner that will prevent pesticide contaminated runoff from leaving the area.
When using mini-bulk pesticides to impregnate dry fertilizer, the mini-bulk tank and the inductor must be inside a secondary containment area. If you are using small packaged pesticides to impregnate, a load pad is not required, although it is recommended.
