aapfco insider volume 3 · aapfco insider volume 3 2012 . ... aapfco insider volume 4 2012 aapfco...

AAPFCO Insider Volume 3 2012

Courtesy of the Education and Communication Committee.

THE AAPFCO INSIDER

ADDRESS FROM OUR PRESIDENT We had a terrific meeting in San Antonio, TX the middle of February. Yes, we had a few minor glitches but it just highlights how much we rely on our members and when they move on, they leave a little bigger hole than what you’d expected. We will be looking to smooth things out next meeting and we appreciate your patience. I would like to thank Steve Cole, Program Director for the Georgia Department of Ag for heading up the Midyear Meeting survey and all those who helped in developing the questions. Once again I’m impressed by the amount of replies to the surveys. Steve said he had about a 49% response rate and that’s not too bad for an online survey. Thank you all for your responses and more importantly, your comments at the end of the survey. Overall, the scores of the meeting show it went very well. The Membership Committee will be working on building an even better meeting next time. While I’m on meetings, don’t forget the fertilizer portion of the AACO meeting coming up August 6th through the 8th in beautiful downtown Indianapolis. The AAFCO group is meeting the three days prior, August 4th through the 6th. The hotel is set and you can go online and make your room reservations now but we are still working on the registration fees. We will send out an announcement as soon as the fee is firmed up. We are working with AAFCO’s new organizational management team Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) to put this meeting together. There will be separate registrations for AAFCO and AAPFCO just like our meeting last year and FASS seems very willing to work with us to make a successful meeting. There is most likely going to be a Basic Inspector Training Seminar (BITS) the last week of September in North Dakota. I had several states reply to my survey and a total of 34 inspectors need the training. We appreciate Spencer Wagner, Fertilizer Specialist for the North Dakota Department of Ag, for coordinating and hosting this training for us.

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Welcome!

Welcome to the AAPFCO Insider, your source for information

about upcoming events, new members,

retirements, meetings, and AAPFCO

sponsored events. The Insider is published

twice a year following the mid-year and annual

meetings.

Remember, this is YOUR newsletter. We

only know what’s going on if you tell us. Please

send information or pictures you would like

to see in the next insider.

Katie Laney

[email protected]


I would also like to thank Melinda Walsh with the Indiana State Chemist Office for her work on our webpage. She has spent quite a bit of time adding the new Methods Forum tab. She has taken information from this group and placed it on the website for easy access. I hope that our new regulatory only section will be up and running by the time this newsletter goes out. We will start by putting the new label guide and new silicon method on it. Information on signing up for a user id and password will come out shortly on the AAPFCO Group Message site. Last but not least, be sure to thank Katie Laney, Compliance Specialist for the New Mexico Department of Ag, for putting together such a professional newsletter. This is just one of the many projects that our Education and Information Committee is charged with. If you ever want to get involved with this exciting, hard working committee contact the Chair, Brad Stancil, Fertilizer Program Manager for South Carolina. Sincerely, Brett Groves AAPFCO President COMING SOON: AAPFCO ANNUAL MEETING 2012 The AAPFCO annual meeting is rapidly approaching. This year’s meeting takes us to the lovely city of Indianapolis Indiana, August 4th through 6th. Aside from the meeting, Indianapolis offers several interesting sightto see and activities. Indianapolis is home to the colts, theIndy car speedway, and a plethora of historic monumeand museums. Should you be interested in taking in sigbetween and after meetings there are several worth stopp

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nts hts

ing by.

adium

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For those football fanatics, consider staying

through Sunday the 12th and catch a pre-season game. Colts against the St Louis Rams. 1:30 at the Lucas oil st

Indy race fans don’t miss a visit to the Indy race museum and a trip around the tra

For those brining young family member, or Lego fanatics don’t miss Lego-land home to life size Lego and f

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AAPFCO SEMINAR The 25th AAPFCO Fertilizer Control Official Seminar will be held October 23rd through the 25th of 2012 at the Providence Biltmore Hotel in Providence, RI. Registration and scholarship forms along with a room reservation link and itinerary will become available on the AAPFCO website. Anyone with suggestions for topics or issues to be discussed at the seminar please contact Lance Kunneman ([email protected]). INSPECTOR MANUAL This year marks the first time that the AAPFCO inspector manual will be separate from the AAPFCO official publication. The AAPFCO inspection manuals are now for $25.00 TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Missouri "D" bulk fertilizer sampling probes all stainless steel. Approximately $1,100.00 each, plus shipping.

New stainless steel bag fertilizer sampling probes are available now. $440.00 each, plus shipping.

For more information regarding the AAPFCO official publication, the new inspector manual or sampling tools please contact Jamey Johnson by phone at 501-219-6338 or email at [email protected] SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS, 2011 AAPFCO MID YEAR MEETING SAN ANTONIO TX Terms and Definitions Committee Overview Previous actions taken by the committee were reviewed; Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solution (UAN-x); Oilseed meal, Zeolites; Herbivore Insect Frass; Nitrapyrin [2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine] these items were presented to the Board to be move to tentative status. Items voted on to move to official status - BSC-1 Calcium Silicate; BSC-2 Potassium Silicate; BSC-3 Sodium Silicate; P-23 Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate Items voted on to remain in tentative status include - BSC-4 Available Silicon (Si); N-52 Kapok Seed Meal; T-64 Humic Acids; T- 65 Humates; T-66 Maleic-Itaconic Copolymer; T-71 Slow Release; T-72 Stabilized fertilizer; T-84Enhanced Efficiency Reference Product; T-85 De-Oiled Oriental Mustard Seed Meal New definitions or terms recommended by the committee to tentative status included: the list of proposed UFTRS definitions...see appendix A, revised Ca-19 Calcium Thiosulfate; T- ? Soluble Silicon

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mailto:[email protected]


Committee Actions New Terms Ca-19 Calcium Thiosulfate – (fertilizer quality) is a product composed principally of CaS2O3, which inhibits the ammonia volatilization from urea and urea ammonium nitrate. Discussion – move to tentative with addition of underline verbiage. A firm has suggested adding the underlined text above. Sufficient efficacy data has been provided to the T&D Committee workgroup. Kenny Naylor made a motion to move this definition back to tentative, with the underlined text. Robert Hougaard seconded the motion. Motion carries. Alan Blaylock suggested changing the text above from “...which inhibits...” to “...which can inhibit...” T- ? Soluble Silicon – is that portion of the silicon contained in fertilizer or fertilizer materials that is soluble in 0.94 Molar Sodium Carbonate and 0.20 Molar Ammonium Nitrate by a validated or approved method, which is a measure of available silicon. T- ? Biostimulant – A material derived from biological origin that, when applied to a plant or soil or growing media, enhances plant nutritional utilization or reduces nutrient losses to the environment, but is not regulated as a pesticide. N-? CALCIUM AMMONIUM NITRATE -is a mixture of ammonium nitrate with calcium nitrate or limestone with a nitrogen range of 17-27%.” For labeling purposes, this product must be listed in the derived from statement as "Ammonium Nitrate and Calcium Carbonate or Ammonium Nitrate and Calcium Nitrate”- Assign to workgroup (conflicts with SUIP 6). Steve McMurry, Joe Slater & Jonathan Handy volunteered to serve on a workgroup to consider whether this definition should be used, changed or deleted. UFTRS Definitions approved to tentative status - See appendix A. Uniform Bills Overview 1. Discussion of Moving SUIP 25 to the Fertilizer Rules

An update was given by the working group but no actions were taken. 2. Voting Items for the AAPFCO Board of Directors

a) A presentation to amend the warning statement for BSE on labels of fertilizer containing prohibited material

was presented prior to a vote on the statements status. After discussion by the committee the caution statement was voted to be moved from tentative to official status.

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b) Items voted on to move to official status: Addition of the Statement of Uniform Interpretation and Policy 29—Organic Fertilizer Dual Registration; Vermicompost claims to the Soil Amendment Rules and Regulations; Addition of notes 5 and 6 to the Uniform Soil Amendment Bill; and Changes to Rule 1 of the Fertilizer Rules and Regulations.

c) New items recommended by the committee to tentative status are the addition of part c) to the Uniform

Fertilizer Bill Section 6 for the labeling of variable rate fertilizer sales. Committee Actions

1. Warning Statement on labels of fertilizer containing prohibited material was moved to official status:

Section 2(i) The following caution statement shall be required on all labels for fertilizer containing any prohibited materials under 21 CFR 589.2000 or Cattle Material Prohibited in Animal Feed under 21 CFR 589.2001:

CAUTION: Do not eat, feed to animals, or apply to land used for grazing ruminant animals. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling and before eating or smoking.

2. Statement of Uniform Interpretation and Policy (SUIP) was move to official status:

STATEMENTS OF UNIFORM INTERPRETATION AND POLICY 29. Organic fertilizers whose label or labeling includes statements regarding the presence of organic matter and claims consistent with established agronomic benefits that organic matter imparts on soils need not be dual-registered as a soil amendment provided that the product is registered as a fertilizer.

3. The following beneficial label claims for Vermicompost were moved to official Status: a) Improves soil structure and porosity – creating a better plant root environment. b) Increases moisture infiltration and permeability, and reduces bulk density of heavy soils – improving

moisture infiltration rates and reducing erosion and runoff c) Improves the moisture holding capacity of light soils – reducing water loss and nutrient leaching, and

improving moisture retention d) Improves the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils e) Supplies organic matter f) Aids the proliferation of soil microbes g) Supplies beneficial microorganisms to soils and growing media (only for products providing

minimum microbe content guarantees) h) Encourages vigorous root growth i) Allows plants to more effectively utilize nutrients j) Enables soils to retain nutrients longer k) Contains humus – assisting in soil aggregation and making nutrients more available for plant uptake l) Buffers soil pH

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m) Source of macro and micro nutrients (for fertilizer registered products, not soil amendment registered products)

4. Notes 5 and 6 to be added to the end of the Uniform Soil Amendment Bill were moved to official status:

Note 5: Mulch is a soil amendment when product labeling claims to be only a soil amendment or provides directions for incorporation into soil.

Note 6: Potting soil is a soil amendment when the product labeling claims to be only a soil amendment or provides directions for incorporation into soil.

5. Section 1of the Fertilizer Rules and Regulations was moved to official status:

1. Plant Nutrients in Addition to Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash Other plant nutrients when mentioned ……..Except guarantees for those water soluble nutrients labeled for ready to use foliar fertilizers, ready to use specialty liquid fertilizers, hydroponic or continuous liquid feed programs and guarantees for potting, garden and lawn soils, the minimum percentages which will be accepted for registration are as follows:……

6. The following change to Section 6 of the Uniform Bill for fertilizers was moved to tentative status: Section 6. Labels (Official 2003)

a) Any fertilizer distributed in this state in containers shall have placed on or affixed to the container a

label setting forth in clearly legible and conspicuous form the following information: (1) Net weight; (2) Brand and grade; provided, that the grade shall not be required when no primary nutrients are

claimed; (3) Guaranteed analysis; (4) Name and address of the registrant/licensee; (5) Directions for use for fertilizer distributed to the end user. (Official 2001)

In case of bulk shipments, this information in written or printed form shall accompany delivery and be supplied to the purchaser at time of delivery.

(b) A fertilizer formulated according to specifications which are furnished by or for a consumer

prior to mixing shall be labeled to show the net weight, the guaranteed analysis, and the name and address of the distributor or registrant/licensee.

[(c) A fertilizer formulated according to specifications which are furnished by or for a consumer

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[end user] prior to mixing and intended to be applied using variable rate technology shall be accompanied by a plainly written statement which shows the guaranteed analysis and net weight of each material used in the formulation and the name and address of the distributor or registrant/licensee and the consumer [end user] and the global positioned [positioning] system (GPS) coordinates of the field location of the field on which the material was applied.]

Motions 1. Joe Slater (MO) motioned to approve the agenda for Austin, TX; David Howle (SC) seconded the

motion. The committee approved the agenda. 2. Ewa Madey (Canada) motioned to accept the meeting report from Savannah, GA; Joe Slater (MO)

seconded the motion. The committee approved the meeting report. 3. David Howle (SC) motioned to accept the BSE caution statement as Official for 2012; Joe Slater (MO)

seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion. 4. Joe Slater (MO) motioned to accept SUIP 29 as Official for 2012; David Howle seconded the motion.

The committee approved the motion. 5. Joe Slater (MO) motioned to accept the list of vermicompost label claims as Official for 2012; David

Howle (SC) seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion. 6. Ewa Madey (Canada) motioned to accept Notes 5 and 6 as amended for the Uniform Soil Amendment

Bill as Official for 2012; David Howle (SC) seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion. 7. Joe Slater (MO) motioned to accept changes to Rule 1 as Official for 2012; Levi Osterberg (MT)

seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion. 8. David Howle (SC) motioned to accept changes to Section 6 adding part (c) as Tentative for 2012;

Michael Norman (WA) seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion. Next Steps SUIP 25 Metals in Fertilizers – The Heavy Metals Working Group will continue its charge to reformat the current SUIP 25 as a new fertilizer rule for discussion at the 2012 AAPFCO Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN. Biostimulant definition has been referred to a working group consisting of members from labeling and terms and the soil amendment subcommittee. Environmental Affairs Ewa Madey, chair Michael Norman, Nutrient Management Sub-Committee chair April Hunt, By Products and Recycled Materials vice chair Nutrient Management Sub-Committee

• Matt Kastner, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), gave an update on nutrient management issues and its intersection with the 4Rs. Litigation with EPA regarding its nutrient criteria in Florida is ongoing and there are

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April Hunt, Mike Norman, and Ewa Madey


data issues with EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Model. USDA’s nutrient management standards (NRCS Code 590) were updated in December 2011 and contain the use of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs) and the 4R principle, which is available at www.NutrientStewardship.org.

• AAPFCO has a new role in NRCS Code 590 as USDA is looking to the AAPFCO officials to provide guidance and listings of approved EEFs.

• Mike Norman gave a presentation on the new Washington state water quality phosphorus fertilizer restrictions. It will go into full effect January 1, 2013. WA is the first state west of the Mississippi to implement this type of language.

• Contact April Hunt for a list and summary of the 11 states with phosphorus fertilizer restrictions in place. By Products and Recycled Materials Sub-Committee

• Ron Alexander, for the US Composting Council, gave a presentation on food residuals as fertilizers and fertilizer ingredients. There is an increasing interest to recycle food residuals as it helps move forward climate change goals and mandates and minimizes resource waste. Composting and anaerobic digestion of food waste for use a fertilizer were discussed.

• Robert Bastain, US EPA, gave a presentation on processed sewage sludge/biosolids and the 40 CFR part 503 rule. The key land application requirements are heavy metal limits, pathogen and vector reduction requirements. Beneficial use practices in the US include Agriculture (74%), forestland (1%) reclamation (3%) and Class A EQ distribution (22%).

• Ewa Madey, Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), gave a presentation on the Canadian perspective on the regulation of biosolids under the Fertilizers Act. Processed sewage sold commercially or imported into Canada is regulated by the CFIA under the Fertilizers Act. The CFIA has recently conducted a literature review on the availability of nutrients in biosolids, contact Ewa for a copy.

• Precautionary statements for products containing live microorganisms as active ingredients. The working group put together a statement and decision tree to aid the control officials in making a determination whether a precautionary statement is mandatory. The committee and audience made comments. The working group will consider the comments and present an updated statement and chart at the annual meeting.

Uniform Reports Weldon Collier discussed the Terms and Definitions Committee’s working group project to harmonize the currently defined Uniform Fertilizer Tonnage Reporting System (UFTRS) fertilizer codes and the AAPFCO terms and definitions. The group found that there are currently 76 undefined codes, and defined 30 of these. The Uniform Reports Committee will work on narrowing the codes down and removing many of the generic / “grade unknown” codes as they do not provide useful data. Joe Slater gave a brief update that the old Access 97 pilot of the UFTRS is up in August and the techs in Missouri will try to have a demo ready of the upgrade for the annual meeting. Rod Connor, Ag Gateway, gave a presentation about the industry tonnage reporting project that will build an interface between the states and industry for reporting in a paperless system. An industry workgroup is holding conference calls regularly to develop the parameters. Joe Slater and April Hunt are participating in the calls for AAPFCO. Beta-testing this planned this summer. Rod’s presentation was unintentionally accompanied by mariachi music in the next room.

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http://www.nutrientstewardship.org/


Education and Information Committee Overview

• SGN ppt was presented to the group for submission to the board. A motion to submit the document to the board was made by Katie Laney, second by Theresa Wybrant; the carried and the ppt will move to the board for further action.

• A product label guide was presented to the group for submission to the board. A motion to submit the label guide to the board was made by Katie Laney, second by Theresa Wybrant. The motion carried, the guide will be submitted to the board for further action.

• A motion to send Committee 101to the board was made by Theresa Wybrant, second by Katie Laney. The motion carried, and the committee 101 presentation will be submitted to the board for further action.

• The AAPFCO Insider was discussed, suggestions were taken from the gallery. No actions were needed or taken.

• Bill Hall presented a training broacher for slow release fertilizer. The slow release committee is still adjusting the documentation and will submit it to the education and information committee upon completion. No actions were needed or taken.

Best Management Practices (BMP) Committee Overview:

• Bulk Blend Workshop was held January 18th, 2012 in State College, PA • Blender Testing Protocol – Appendix 3 in the Bulk Blend Quality Control Manual from TFI. Matt Kastner and

Steve McMurry will look into getting this appendix on the website. • Post on website some Best Management Practices to help with the proper us of fertilizer. Working Group of Steve

McMurry, Lance Kunneman, Matt Kastner, Matt Pearson, and Richard Gupton. o Identify best way for website to look for state information o What BMP’s are available and accessible o State specific and will need to create several links o Four “R’s” from TFI o IPNI putting together a stewardship manual this winter

• Looking for new cadre members for Bulk Blend Workshops BMP Plant Security Sub-Committee Overview:

• Deborah Allen gave a power point presentation on Ammonium Nitrate Regulation o Comment period ended December 1, 2011 o No set date for final rule making.

• CFATS has been extended to 10-4-2012 • TWIC – Transportation workers, ID Credential

o Card good for 5 years

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AAPFCO MEMBERS AT THEIR FINEST

AAPFCO members enjoying the festivities of Mardi Gras…. We hope, otherwise it AAPFCO members that really

like green hats.

NEW AAPFCO MEMBERS

Jonathan Handy joined the fertilizer control official community in August 2011, representing Colorado. "I'd like to thank the members and leadership of AAPFCO for a great welcome and introduction to the field. This has been a wonderful organization to contribute to and be a says Jonathan. He has been in state service for 16 years and administeprograms for the Colorado Department of Agriculture since 2003. With agriculture booming, this is an exciting time to contribute to the farm and horticultural sectors! Jonathan lives near Denver with his wife Pilar, son Nicholas and daughter Marie.

part of," red

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Matt Pearson assumed the role of fertilizer administrator February 1, 2012. Pearson had been the Engineering Specialist for the Office of Indiana State Chemist since 1996. He has a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University.

His previous responsibilities included working with agrichemical dealers and growers to assist with compliance issues concerning the storage and handling of fertilizers and pesticides as well as certification for distributors and users of fertilizer material.

He also worked with other regulatory agencies and risk coordinators on storm water and other environmental issues.

Prior to working with the Office of Indiana State Chemist, Matt was a sales engineer for a company specializing in synthetic liners for fertilizer secondary containment and worked for a major feed equipment manufacturer.

He grew up on a small grain and livestock farm in east central Indiana. He is married and he and his wife have 4 daughters. He is active with them with their schools and sports. Competitive eating is his hobby with a goal of becoming the regional champion for chili cheese fries. Matt is excited with the opportunities that are ahead for OISC.

ENJOYING RETIREMENT

Mike Hancock retired from the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) on January 31, 2012 where he served with distinction for nearly twenty years. Mike was loved and respected by his colleagues in the OISC. He gained the respect of his peers and those within the regulated communities as a knowledgeable and forthright regulator. His professional accomplishments culminated in his receiving the D. S. Coltrane Award by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials in 2011.

Lynn Sheridan retired from the Washington State Department of Agriculture on May 31, 2012 after 22 years of service. Lynn is planning to rela x, spend tim e with the grandkids, and m aybe do som e ferti lizer registration consulting.

“It has been a wonderful experience fo r me to have been able to particip ate in AAPFCO and t o meet the fine people who support agriculture with what they do.”

“Keep up the good fight and I wish for you the best in your careers.”

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