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L&C NRD offers up some chemigation reminders
HARTINGTON — The district has seen an increase in the number of chemigation permits granted as producers continue to adopt chemical and fertilizer application through their irrigation systems to increase their crop yields and reduce leaching. Chemigation, sometimes called fertigation, uses a center pivot or subsurface drip irrigation system to apply fertilizer and/or pesticides to growing crops.
Chemigation is an environmentally friendly method of applying fertilizer and pesticide to a growing crop. It involves spoon-feeding the plant’s nutrient needs based on the yield goal and growth stage of the crop. This method also saves time and labor by not having to go over a field multiple times for equipment applications.
To legally chemigate in Nebraska, a person who applies chemicals through their irrigation system must complete a chemigation safety course and pass a written exam offered through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE). The chemigation certification program is an important tool for educating producers about the Nebraska Chemigation Act, chemigation rules and regulations set by the NDEE, and as an overall tool for safe chemical application practices.
Not only is certification to chemigate required, but a site-specific permit to apply chemicals through an irrigation system is also required. Permit holders must have at least one up-to-date certified applicator for their specific injection site(s). Permits are issued by the LCNRD, with new permits costing $50 and renewals costing $20.
All new Chemigation permits and permits that have been renewed for 3 years without alterations must be inspected before use. The applicant must notify LCNRD within 72 hours of any alterations or replacements to the system, and LCNRD will then inspect for compliance.
Permits must be renewed for the next season after the expiration date (June 1). Any permits turned in after the June 1 deadline will be considered a new permit and will need to be inspected by LCNRD. Questions? Please call the NRD office at 402-254-6758
