In a continued effort to help registrants, refillers, retailers, commercial applicators and custom blenders to comply with the requirements of this rule, the EPA has developed flow charts to help explain the refillable container and repackaging regulations.

• Flow Chart 1:  Is the container a service container or a portable refillable container?

• Flow Chart 2:  Can I fill this large portable container (greater than 119 gallons)?

• Flow Chart 3:  Can I fill this small portable refillable container (capacity of 119 gallons or less)?

Please note that flow charts #2 and #3 should be printed on legal-sized paper and that you need to manually select legal-sized paper.

Visit the Pesticide Container & Containment Web site at for more information on these regulations.

One of the benefits to applying for the award is that each applicant receives benchmarking information at the end of the competition, regardless of status by the end of the competition. Many cite the receipt of benchmarking data as the top reason for applying. Companies have used the feedback to improve their overall standing in the program, as well as to improve their facility in the areas of safety, quality, efficiency, housekeeping and government compliance.

The application process begins by filling out the online survey, also accessible by clicking on the Feed Mill of the Year logo on www.afia.org. Once applications are processed and scored, site visits to the top finalists by an inspection team from AFIA and Feedstuffs will occur. Final selection is based on a combined scoring of the application and personal visit. The winner will be announced in the fall.

“Last year, over 80 feed facilities applied. In part, this can be attributed to the benchmarking data provided to all applicants,” Keith Epperson, AFIA vice president of manufacturing and training, explained. “The data can be used compare standards across the industry, already useful tool for any mill to have; but especially so in these times of increased industry regulation.”

Both the winner and the runner-up will be permitted to use appropriate logos for one year to promote their accomplishments. The top two facilities also receive features in the AFIA Journal and Feedstuffs.

Cargill Animal Nutrition of Wooster, Ohio, is the 2011 Feed Mill of the Year winner and Southern States Cooperative’s Winchester Mill in Winchester, Kentucky, was named runner-up. More information on the top two facilities of 2011 can be found here.

“To be recognized externally by winning AFIA’s Feed Mill of the Year is a huge accomplishment,” said Susanna Wright, manager of the winning 2011 facility.

Participation is limited to feed mills with current AFIA memberships. To apply for the 2012 program, please complete the online application. The application can also be found on the homepages of AFIA and Feedstuffs. The application fee for the program is $35 per facility. Companies who want to enter multiple facilities must pay the fee for each.

Payment should be mailed to AFIA at 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 916, Arlington VA 22201. To ensure payment is credited properly, please type “FMOTY 2012” in the memo line of the check. Applications are due by May 31.

Questions specific to the application may be directed to Keith Epperson at (703) 558-3568. For other questions, contact Sarah Novak, AFIA vice president of membership and public relations at (703) 558-3574.

The Challenge

Crop advisors know that nutrients, like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are essential for growing crops – but similar to calories in our diets too much of a good thing can become a problem.   Today, many policymakers, environmental groups and the media representatives both nationally and at the state level, are increasingly focused on fertilizers as a problem for the environment, not a solution to meeting the food needs of a growing population.  While there is not a one size fits all answer, we know that mandatory rate reductions and input limits are not an environmental, economic or socially beneficial answer either. Alternatively, 4R nutrient stewardship that utilizes fertilizer best management practices addressing the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, the right time, and in the right place, provides the foundation for a science-based framework to achieve sustainable plant nutrition management.  In short, 4R practices are good for the grower and good for the environment.

Fertilizer is a component of sustainable crop production, but agriculture professionals know that in excess, nutrients contribute to pollution. If we under use nutrients, we mine fertility, reduce yields and reduce farm lively hoods. And, conversely, if overused or incorrectly applied, fertilizer nutrients will negatively impact the environment and the community – not to mention the grower’s pocketbook.

There is an existing need to improve the adoption of fertilizer best management practices to enhance the sustainability, efficiency and productivity of agricultural systems.  Efficiency and productivity together are interwoven with sustainability. Striving to improve efficiency without also increasing productivity simply increases the pressure to produce more on other lands which may be less suited to agricultural production. Some might advocate that efficiency increases should be achieved by reducing inputs, but this technique is likely to negatively affect yields over time. Conversely, squandering resources to maximize productivity results in increased environmental impacts and decreased profitability.

Answering the Challenge

To address the need for greater adoption of fertilizer best management practices the fertilizer industry is leading an initiative to educate growers about the value of enhanced efforts aimed at nutrient stewardship.  Through that effort, we are promoting 4R nutrient stewardship as the framework to achieve cropping system goals, like increased production, increased farmer profitability and enhanced environmental protection.

Because of input costs, the need for production to meet growing demands, and environmental impacts the risks for making the wrong nutrient use decisions is greater now than ever.  Luckily, the key factors in growing a good crop happen to be the same as those to reduce negative impacts to the environment. We must accept and address the interconnectivity between practices addressing source, rate, time and place. When your grower customers make a decision about one of the R’s it is affected by the other three. To mitigate the risks, we can’t simply look at only one of the four nutrient stewardship components.

While the scientific practices that govern the 4Rs are universal, the practices to be implemented are site specific, so there is not a common management plan or set of practices that will work for everyone in every location. Crop advisors are key in the efforts to increase adoption of 4R nutrient stewardship with growers.

Engaging with 4Rs

Influenced by a March 2011 EPA memo providing guidance to address non-point source nutrient loss and heightened awareness of hypoxia issues, many states including Minnesota are considering nutrient loss reduction strategies for their states. Through this process, it is essential for non-point source stakeholders (that’s the agriculture community) to engage and provide guidance. Many of the states are interested in pursuing voluntary strategies. However, no matter what the result the outcome will inevitably affect you and your grower customer.

The fertilizer industry and crop farmers are doing a lot to take pride in, yet we are facing a growing segment of society whose distrust of the farm is so great that we have to change some of their perceptions. During my travels last year, I met a retailer who had recently participated in a watershed meeting as a representative from agriculture and the industry. While the strongest environmental activist at the meeting was a representative from the state bee keepers, this retailer found himself under attack for his perceived role in the negative impacts of agriculture.  He struggled to address their concerns at the time, but after hearing about the 4R imitative knew he would have a response in the future. Watershed meetings that will affect agriculture are taking place at the local level around the country, but representation from agriculture or the fertilizer industry is either scant or non-existent.

The 4Rs are tangible and succinct enough for implementation on the farm and also for interaction with the public and policy advocates. There is a rapidly growing body of information and materials available for your use on the 4Rs at www.nutrientstewardship.com .  From the site you will find a multi-faceted focus on the importance of meeting environmental; economic and social sustainability goals. TFI encourages you to take a look at best management practices (BMP) fact sheets as well as other resources to help farmers sustainably use fertilizers.  In many cases you will find that your customers are implementing the 4R’s and are just not recognizing it as such or you might find that one, two or three of the 4R’s are being implemented and with some encouragement all components of the system can easily become a part of farm management plans.

Be an advocate for the 4Rs and help promote a sustainable agricultural system. In the end, it is very much up to you to utilize your trusted advisor relationship with your customers to ensure that the 4R’s are a part of their farm management plans. When this happens it will be good not only for the environment but also for their bottom lines and the global community that relies on agriculture for a bountiful and nutritious food supply.

“The decision to withdraw this rule — including provisions to define the ‘parental exemption’ — was made in response to thousands of comments expressing concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on small family-owned farms. To be clear, this regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration,” the DOL said in their statement.

“Rather than regulate we’re going to focus on educate,” U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack told The Des Moines Register. “We’re anxious to get this started.”

The DOL and the USDA plan to work with rural stakeholders to develop an educational program to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.

Iowa officials shared their approval of the DOL’s actions after the DOL’s decision was announced.

Iowa Gov. Branstad stated, “I applaud this announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor to withdraw their proposed rules for young people participating in agriculture. I look forward to continuing to work with agricultural stakeholders, including the FFA and 4-H, to build upon successful grassroots initiatives that truly help to continually improve agricultural working practices for young people.”

Sec. Northey stated, ““I am pleased the U.S. Department of Labor responded to the public outcry and withdrew these proposed rules in their entirety.  We need to encourage young people to be involved with agriculture and learn from responsible adults about how to operate machinery and care for animals, these proposed rules would have done just the opposite.”

On April 12, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), issued a report titled Troubled Waters – Farm Pollution Threatens Drinking Water.  To summarize, the report’s stated premise is “America’s drinking water is at risk from poor farming practices that contaminate streams, lakes and groundwater with fertilizer and manure.”

The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has also developed a Grow What You Know response to this examination and has distributed it through the Grow What You Know tool on fooddialogues.com.

AAI believes this report was created to lobby policy discussions on the federal farm bill. As your industry partner advocating for your interests, we will continue to keep you and your customers best interests at the forefront of policy discussions.  This includes new factual and scientific information not considered by the EWG’s report.

Download the Fertilizer Industry Statement summary.

Each year AAI members gather at multiple golf events across the state to network and entertain customers and guests. These golf outings are a great opportunity for you to meet new and longtime members and expand your business. The scheduled golf outings are throughout the summer and all over the State, and we invite you to be a part of it!

Event Dates & Times

All events begin with registration and lunch at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start at noon.

Wednesday, June 27 – Lake Panorama National Golf Course, Panora

Wednesday, July 25 -Fox Ridge Golf Course, Dike

Thursday, July 26 – Emerald Hills Golf Course, Okoboji

Thursday, September 6 – Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Riverside

Sponsorships & Door Prizes

Sponsors can choose to sponsor all four events for $800 or individual events for $250 per event.  Participating sponsors will receive recognition in a multitude of ways.

• Recognition as a golf event sponsor in AAI newsletters distributed throughout the summer to over 1,000 member locations.
• Your company logo on the AAI website and recognized as a sponsor for the months of June, July,  August and September.
• Recognition as a golf sponsor on programs distributed at the golf events.
• Signage of your company displayed at each sponsored golf event.
• The opportunity to sit at your sponsored hole and network with participants.

We also encourage our sponsors donate items for the door prize drawings at the events.   Door prizes offer another way for sponsors to connect with AAI members.

Download Sponsorship Form.

Educational Workshops

AAI will be hosting two educational workshops prior to the Panora and Riverside golf events.  Water Quality Management will be the focus of the Panora training while the Riverside workshop will focus on NH3 Equipment Safety and Policy Update.The cost to attend these events is $30.  Non-golfers are also able attend these workshops.

A full agenda will be released later; however, you can still register for this event while registering for golf or by calling the office.

Golf Registration

Golfers can form their own foursomes or AAI will match individual golfers together.

Registration is $90 per golfer for the Panora, Dike and Okoboji events and $110 for the Riverside event.  Registration includes lunch, AAI golf items and a full round of golf with a cart.

Download Golf & Educational Workshop Registration Form.

The bill was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously. Once signed into law, fertilizer plants will achieve increased production thru-put. Additionally, fertilizer producers will realize significant cost savings without jeopardizing public or worker safety.

AAI supported SF 2280 and worked with member representatives to secure its passage and is pleased with this outcome. AAI and our lobbying team is confident that Governor Branstad will sign the bill and have left messages with his office that the bill is great policy and regulatory reform and should be signed.

The bill, now titled Senate File 2280 (SF 2280), has been introduced and is eligible for senate floor debate.  With bill passage, fertilizer plants will achieve increased production thru-put.  Additionally, fertilizer producers will realize significant cost savings without jeopardizing public or worker safety.

AAI supported SSB 3158 and worked with member representatives to secure its passage out of committee.  AAI and our lobbying team will monitor the progression of SF 2280 and keep our members informed of its progress through the legislature.

On February 16, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation, passed unanimously by the Legislature and approved by the Florida Environmental Regulations Commission (ERC), that would ensure the EPA does not overstep its authority and implement federal numeric nutrient criteria in the state.  The legislation directs the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to submit their own Numeric Nutrient Criteria rules to EPA for approval.

“Our rules provide a clear process for identifying waters impaired by nutrients, preventing harmful discharges and establishing necessary reductions. They provide a reasonable and predictable implementation strategy, and avoid unnecessary costs for Florida’s households and businesses,” said FDEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard in response to Gov. Scott signing the legislation.  “We are pleased that we will now be able to submit our widely supported rules for final EPA approval. It’s important to start addressing our nutrient challenges, and we look forward to getting these rules on the books and implemented as soon as possible,”  added Vinyard.

In addition to the state legislation, on February 15, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) sent a letter to Administrator Jackson in support of the FDEP rule and urged the Administrator “to promptly review and approve” the Florida rule.  On February 16, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a companion bill to the “State Waters Partnership Act of 2012” (H.R. 3856) filed by Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.) that “would force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt Florida’s science-based numeric nutrient criteria on water quality regulation.”

As stated in the letter, EPA has acknowledged that states must take the lead in addressing nutrients.  AAI and the other signees agree with this and believe that states are best suited to deal with issues related to their unique landscapes and climates.

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) registered in favor of this bill and assisted other farm groups to pass the legislation.   “Iowans appreciate honesty and ag employers appreciate honesty as well,” said Jeff Schnell, AAI CEO.

The original version of the bill, which saw extensive debate and was passed by the House last session, would have made it illegal for undercover videotaping at farms or other animal operations in Iowa.  The Iowa’s attorney general’s office advised state senators that the bill in its original form would most likely face constitutional challenges due to the rendering possession or distribution of audio or video recordings illegal.  Previous rulings by the U.S. Supreme established ruled that films exposing animal cruelty are protected under free speech.

Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport

Sen. Tim Kapucian, R-Keystone

State senators, Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport and Sen. Tim Kapucian, R-Keystone, worked to amend the bill and substituted a provision that does not deal with audio or video recordings but instead creates a new crime: Agricultural Production Facility Fraud.

If signed into law, a person who obtains employment under false pretenses with intent to commit an act not authorized by the owner of the agricultural production facility can be found guilty of this new crime and face serious or aggravated misdemeanor charges.  In addition, any individual or organization that aids a person in obtaining a job for an undercover sting operation would be prosecuted as well.

Critics, who have coined the phrase “ag-gag bill,” believe that this legislation  and similar bills in several other states will hider transparency of food production.  Producers, on the other hand, believe this law is necessary in order to protect their businesses and the state’s agricultural economy against activists who seek to cast their operations in a negative light instead of reporting and working to correct possible abuse immediately.

The revised bill was passed Tuesday afternoon by a 40-10 Senate vote.  The House then passed the amended bill without debate with a 69-28 vote.  The bill has been sent to the Governor’s office for signage.  The Governor’s spokesperson, Tom Albrecht has stated, that while he has not decided if he will sign the legislation, Governor Branstad was impressed by the bipartisan support it received.