Explore the details of the FDACS Fertilizer Application Exemption, issued in response to problems stemming from the hurricanes.
In late October, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) called for a deferment of BMP site visits for six months for those producers affected by the hurricane. Best Management Practices (BMP) site visits verify that producers enrolled in the BMP program are following BMPs that aim to “improve water quality while maintaining agricultural production” where fertilizers and irrigation are concerned, but many growers are dealing with fertilizer applications that were essentially washed away by flooding from the hurricanes. In response, FDACS temporarily suspended BMP site visits to those counties that were most impacted by Hurricane Ian. In addition, FDACS recently issued a Fertilizer Application Exemption on 11/21, according to a Specialty Crop Industry article. See the details below.
FDACS Fertilizer Application Exemption
The Fertilizer Application Exemption would allow “enrolled producers to apply a replacement fertilizer to reestablish crops impacted by Hurricane Ian without fear of being out of compliance with their respective Best Management Practices (BMP) manuals,” according to the article. The emergency rule created by the exemption applies to applications made between Oct. 1, 2022 and when the exemption expires on Feb. 19, 2023.
FDACS recommended that those producers considering replacement fertilizer applications conduct soil testing beforehand to confirm that additional fertilizer applications are necessary. Additionally, growers must still maintain applicable BMP records.
Counties with suspended BMP Implementation Verification visits include Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia.
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.