The pressure to cover more acres to make up for lost time means that anhydrous ammonia (NH3) safety should be top of mind when you head to the field. Accidents can come with a hefty price tag—and that's beyond any injuries.
In Illinois, for example, farmers will make 85% of their annual nitrogen applications for corn and wheat this spring, says Jean Payne, president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association. Typically, 60% of their NH3 applications are done in the fall.
"With the late harvest, it just got too late and was too wet,” Payne explains.
Across the Corn Belt, farmers experienced similar challenges. In Iowa, producers usually apply 50% of their fertilizer after harvest. But they managed to apply only 36% this past fall, according to Mike Duffy, Iowa State University ag economist.
Most NH3 accidents are caused by transportation mishaps, human error or equipment failure.
According to William Rice, regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine Tribal Nations, his region receives more reports of accidental
release of NH3 than for any other chemical.
Because federal government regulations peg NH3 as a hazardous substance, any spill of 18 gal. or more has to be reported to federal, state and local authorities within 15 minutes.
If farmers or retailers fail to report a spill, they can be fined up to $37,000 a day. If injuries occur, the penalty can increase.
NH3 at risk. Because of recent fines EPA has placed on ag retailers, some farmers worry that NH3 will eventually be unavailable for ag use.
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