Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association
Supply · Service · Stewardship
To assist and represent the crop production supply and service industry while promoting the sound stewardship and utilization of agricultural inputs.

IFCA's Weekly Update

Catch up with the latest from IFCA

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IFCA Weekly Update

Click on the video to learn the most recent news and ongoings at IFCA.


 

Spring Webinar with Dr. Emerson Nafziger

Miss the Nitrogen Considerations Webinar?

View the Webinar Recording

On Monday, March 25th, IFCA held a recorded discussion with Dr. Emerson Nafziger of the University of Illinois to discuss Nitrogen Consideration in Illinois. Dr. Nafziger provided a comprehensive breakdown of several important topics including fertilizer prices, rates, nutrient use efficiency, and spring nitrogen timing.


IFCA has made available
the Slideshow Presentation from the webinar.

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

 
 

Applicator Manuals are available

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Updated Apr 19, 2024

Staying In The Know

Items of Interest

Regulatory Alert

In The News

Contact Your Illinois Senator Today to Oppose SB 771 “Illinois Wetland Initiative”

This week, IFCA asked our members to contact their Illinois state senator regarding SB 771. Proponents claim SB 771 intends to restore wetland protections that were in place prior to the US Supreme Court’s ruling on WOTUS last year (the Sackett Decision). Unfortunately, this legislation would far exceed what was in place pre-Sackett. The resulting regulatory, logistical, and financial challenges could prevent farmers and ag ...more

Reminder: Know Your Customers on Any Sale of Fuel, Fertilizer or Crop Protection Products

Earlier this spring, one of our members received a phone call from an unknown individual requesting to purchase fertilizer over the phone. The individual in question wanted to purchase a rather large amount of fertilizer and was willing to provide payment over the phone.  This individual would not provide any details on the intended use and made several follow-up phone calls trying to convince ...more

Spring Ammonia Safety Reminders

As we prepare for the upcoming spring ammonia season, here are fourteen key safety reminders to keep foremost in mind when handling ammonia.     14 Key Safety Reminders and Recommendations for Handling & Transporting Anhydrous Ammonia from IFCA   1. Remember to always utilize your ammonia gloves and chemical splash goggles when working around ammonia. Never wear contact lenses when working around anhydrous ammonia.   2. Always ...more

Inspecting Operational & Secondary Containment, Loading & Unloading Area Containment

With the start of the spring season quickly approaching and the news of a containment breach in Iowa and most recently in Illinois, this is a good reminder to make sure operational and secondary containment structures are well maintained and inspected on a regular basis. Some of the IDOA requirements include visually inspecting containment structures weekly including written inspections and maintenance, inspection and maintenance of ...more

2024 Ag Retail Salary Survey

Throughout the year, IFCA receives questions from our members regarding salary ranges for ag retail employees to see if they are competitive with other companies in the industry. IFCA wants to thank Margy Eckelkamp with the "The Daily Scoop" for putting out their "2024 Salary Survey". The survey shows the trends of two key occupations in the ag retail: sales ...more

EPA Accepts Atrazine Science Panel Recommendations

IFCA applauds EPA for agreeing with the recommendations of the atrazine Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP), removing several poor-quality studies that played a role in the agency’s recommendation for an ultra-low aquatic level of concern for atrazine. The SAP was held in August 2023 at the request of the ag input industry. The panel considered EPA’s white paper and stakeholder comments to exclude ...more

FMCSA-PHMSA issues safety advisory on Possible Catastrophic Failure of Nurse Tanks and Recommendation for Periodic Testing

On February 20th, 2024, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a safety advisory related to the catastrophic failure of a nurse tank that occurred in Iowa on August 23, 2023. The tank was manufactured by American Welding and Tank LLC at its Freemont, Ohio plant in 2009. The FMCSA-PHMSA advisory focuses on those specific tanks manufactured by ...more

IFCA Receives Update from EPA on Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba

On February 6, 2024, a ruling by the U.S. District Court of Arizona vacating the 2020 registrations for over-the-top (OTT) dicamba products, IFCA received this information from the EPA on existing stocks of dicamba for the 2024 cropping season:   On February 14, 2024, EPA issued an Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba Products Previously Registered for Over-the-Top Use on Dicamba-Tolerant Cotton and Soybean. This Order addresses use of the formerly-registered ...more

Arizona Federal Judge Vacates Dicamba Registrations

A federal court in Arizona on Tuesday vacated the 2020 registrations of three dicamba products previously approved by the EPA for over-the-top applications including XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium in soybeans and cotton.  The ruling in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona leaves ag retailers and farmers without the use dicamba in the upcoming growing season. The impact of the judge'...more

Asmark 2024 Applicator Manuals

  IFCA has partnered with the Asmark Institute to offer 2024 Applicator Manuals. The 1,800 page book contains over 150+ specimen labels of the most popular custom applied products. This manual has become the industry standard in helping comply with EPA's requirement to have current label information available for applicators while handling or applying pesticides. Place a copy in every piece of application equipment and nurse or ...more

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IDOA recently announced the 2024 schedule for the agrichemical container recycling program. The program is free and runs from July 17-August 7. Click the following link to read more on the program and view the schedule:
Day #2 of the IFCA Fast Track program designed for college students that will be going on summer/final placement in the Ag Retail sector. University of Illinois personnel providing general standards training this morning, then IDOA will provide testing in all categories this afternoon.
IFCA Fast Track Program today at the Agricenter in Bloomington. College students received Anhydrous Ammonia training, Lockout Tagout, Forklift training and Hazardous Communications & PPE training.
Today is the day! Take a few minutes and vote! Avoid the regret of not taking the time to cast your ballot. On both the state and national level, key races will decide the future of our state and country. Be a part of that process! Every vote counts.