In the News - April 2008
Arkansas producers seek alternatives as law restricts favored fertilizer
LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas hay and vegetable producers may be losing a favored
fertilizer over concerns that it can be used to make explosives, according to
extension experts with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
A law passed last year allows the Department of Homeland Security to regulate
the sale and storage of ammonium nitrate and certain other chemicals, keeping
them out of the hands of terrorists while allowing it to be available for
agricultural use.
Arkansas farmers and ranchers used more than a million tons of fertilizer in
2007 including 50,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, said Leo Espinoza, an extension
soil scientist.
The law requires fertilizer dealers and storage facilities to have plans to
protect their fertilizer stores. However, "the handling regulations are
complicated. And to bring some of the existing facilities to compliance, will
require a significant investment, so many dealers will just stop selling
ammonium nitrate," Espinoza said.
Many dealers and hay producers are switching over two non-regulated
fertilizers: calcium ammonium nitrate and urea, a favorite of row crop
producers.
"The problem is calcium ammonium nitrate has a little less nitrogen content
than ammonium nitrate, and it costs a little bit more," Espinoza said.
John Jennings, extension forages professor, said some dealers are still
trying to carry ammonium nitrate, particularly in northwestern Arkansas where
most beef production is located, but some of them are finding that regulations
and other issues are making it increasingly difficult.
"Some dealers and producers are looking at the other alternative sources," he
said. "Urea is cheaper per pound of nitrogen and, in the spring, just as
efficient. In the summer, it can volatilize during hot weather.
"All the sources are higher than ammonium nitrate except for urea, and it's
cheaper right now. In cooler weather, it would be the best source to go with, by
far, if dealers carry it," Jennings said.
Most dealers carry either urea or ammonium nitrate, but not both.
If dealers aren't used to carrying urea, then they may switch to ammonium
sulfate or calcium ammonium nitrate, if they can get it," he said. "But the
calcium ammonium nitrate supply isn't good. It's a safer, good quality product,
it's just really expensive because it's imported from Europe."
Jennings said new products are coming out all the time. He urged producers to
compare the price of nitrogen fertilizers by the pound of actual nutrients in
the product instead of by the ton.
Espinoza said hay producers like to use ammonium nitrate because it can sit
on the ground for longer periods of time waiting for rain to move it down into
the soil. "Urea needs to be incorporated into the soil (by cultivation or rain)
within about five to seven days. If that doesn't happen, it starts to break down
and the risk of volatilization losses increase."
Espinoza said the Division of Agriculture is collaborating with county agents
on a study to devise alternatives.
"We already have some answers," he said. "There are some additives in the
market such as Agrotain that can extend the time urea can sit in the ground by
two to three days, before it starts volatilizing. Hopefully, that's enough time
for rain to come." However, last year we had dry spells that lasted up to three
weeks. Under those conditions there is little you can do."
Regardless of the nitrate source, all fertilizers need water to activate them
and get them moving into the subsoil.
For more information about fertilizers, contact your county extension agent.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
April 11, 2008
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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