SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 9, 2009

Media Contact: Brad Berven or Tom Gere (800) 228-5254

Dry and Liquid On Farm Fertilizer Storage in South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) encourages farmers to use extreme caution when storing bulk fertilizer. The dramatic volatility in fertilizer prices during the last year has caused farmers to consider storing commercial fertilizer on their farms. Currently, no fertilizer storage or handling requirements are directed toward agricultural producer operations other than the reporting of spills. However, instances of pollution may violate state and federal laws such as the Clean Water Act.

The following guidelines, intended to reduce the potential for pollution from storing and handling commercial fertilizer at on-farm facility locations, are based on Best Management Practices.

·        Store dry fertilizer in an enclosed building, free of leaks, that provides full protection from the elements.

·        Do not dump fertilizer on the ground or at the end of a field when transferring product into application equipment; use a load pad. 

·        Design loading areas to prevent spillage on unprotected areas.

·        Provide proper cleanup areas by installing curbed containment.

·        Load dry fertilizer inside a storage building or at the field where it is to be applied.

·        Replace all worn or faulty valves, plugs and threaded fittings in storage containers.

·        To contain leaks and spills, store liquid fertilizer in a secondary containment with a capacity of 125 percent of the largest tank plus the displacement of all other tanks.

·        Construct liquid fertilizer containment to be of sufficient strength to withstand the discharge of maximum tank capacity in case a spill occurs.

·        Locate dry fertilizer storage buildings or liquid fertilizer secondary containment at least 500 feet away from a well, water supply or surface water run-off area.

·        Do not locate storage facilities in areas with a high probability of flooding.

·        Lock valves and shutoff devices when storage containers and facilities are not in use.

·        Follow hazard safety rules, worker safety requirements, and fire prevention rules when handling, and storing fertilizer.

·        Install back-flow prevention devices or use air gap separation on water supply lines used for fertilizer mixing or equipment rinsing.

·        Wash fertilizer equipment in the field at the site of fertilizer application on the same day the fertilizer is applied.

·        Apply fertilizer rinsates and materials accumulated in containment areas to cropland at normal fertilizer application rates.

Agricultural producers who store fertilizer on their farms may be tempted to distribute or sell the fertilizer to other producers who “run short” of product. South Dakota Law requires anyone who sells, offers for sale or distributes fertilizer in the state to obtain a Commercial Fertilizer Distribution License and to pay inspection fees. Producers must also comply with South Dakota’s bulk commercial fertilizer storage rule, 12:44:05, which specifies procedures for handling, storage, and distribution of commercial fertilizer.

For more information, including construction plans specific to your needs, contact the SDDA at 605-773-4432 or review the fertilizer section of the web site at www.state.sd.us/doa/das.

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