Last week the Minnesota Department of Agriculture completed its unofficial comment period for a new nitrogen fertilizer management rule. The official comment period will now take place in December of January with the final rule in place by the fall of 2018. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Michael Petefish says one of the possible outcomes would allow nitrogen fertilizer applications only in the spring.

He says the another proposal involves producers having to meet various levels of best management practices that will determine when nitrogen fertilizer can be applied.

Petefish says every three years the state will then review the farm’s applications and if threshold levels aren’t met they will require the operation to only apply in the spring. He says his group is concerned the final rule will come into play quickly.

Petefish advises farmers to stay on top of the rule making process and make sure they weigh in with their comments to the Minnesota State Department of Agriculture.