New regulations for manure and fertilizer application in Ohio started on

July 3, 2015, when Senate Bill Number 1 came into effect. The legislation

effects nitrogen and phosphorus application whether applied as manure

or granular fertilizers. Parts of the regulations are targeted specifically to

define watersheds that encompass the Western Basin of Lake Erie while

one provision is effective statewide.

The new regulations bring application restrictions for spreading of nitro-

gen and phosphorous before rains, when soils are saturated, and on snow

covered or frozen soils. Continued on the next 2 pages is a summary of

the regulations and some thoughts on how we can work together to con-

tinue to bring the nutrients your crops need in a timely manner.

In this issue

Senate Bill #1 Regulations P.2 Adapting to New Regulations P.3

Soil Sampling for the Best Results P.4 Christina Knief, Precision Specialist P.5

Facility Improvements P.5 Bambauer Smartphone App P.6

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.”

-William Blake

It truly is a team effort to get the work

done in a timely manner, and adapt to the

challenges that each season brings. This

season started smoothly. With the corn

planted earlier, things looked to be in

order for timely pesticide applications and

eventually an enjoyable summer. Howev-

er, record rainfall pushed the workload

farther back into the season, and windows

to get the work done became very short.

The weather forced adjustments to herbi-

cide programs, supported aerial applica-

tions of fungicide, and created the need to

evaluate what fields warranted applica-

tions with the varying crop conditions.

Thank you to all of our customers that

were patient and worked with us through

the challenging season! We appreciate

your positive attitudes, kind words of en-

couragement and thanks, and support as

we all dealt with a challenging weather

situation. And if you haven’t noticed, we

have a great crew here at Bambauer’s.

They were top notch this spring, showing

great dedication when the field conditions

finally allowed the work to be done.

Thanks to all who support us at Bambau-

er’s. Whether it be as a customer, service

provider, employee, or friend, we appreci-

ate your support! -Mitch Bambauer

Fall 2015 , 29th edition

Update onUpdate on

FertilizerFertilizer

RegulationsRegulations

Fertilizer application restrictions (in the western basin only) (Administered through Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA)) For applications of fertilizer in the western basin, a person may not apply fertilizer, defined as nitrogen or phosphorous, under these conditions:

1. On snow-covered or frozen soil, or 2. When the top two inches of soil are saturated from precipitation, or 3. In a granular form when the local weather forecast for the application area contains greater than a 50% chance of precipita-

tion exceeding one inch in a twelve-hour period, unless the fertilizer is injected into the ground, incorporated within 24 hours of surface application or applied onto a growing crop.

Manure application restrictions (in the western basin only) (Administered through Ohio Department of Natural Resources till 12/31/2015 then ODA) A person may not surface apply manure in the western basin under any of the following circumstances:

1. On snow-covered or frozen soil; 2. When the top two inches of soil are saturated from precipitation; 3. When the local weather forecast for the application area contains greater than a 50% chance of precipitation exceeding one-half

inch in a 24 hour period. UNLESS the manure is injected into the ground, incorporated within 24 hours of surface application, applied onto a growing crop, or if in the event of an emergency, the chief of the division of soil and water resources or the chief’s designee provides written consent and the manure application is made in accordance with procedures established in the United States department of agriculture natural resources conservation service practice standard code 590 prepared for this state.

Facilities currently permitted as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) and Certified Livestock Managers (CLM) must continue to follow more restrictive criteria based on soil hydrologic classification noted in the facility permit.

Exemption request process for small and medium operations. Small and medium agricultural operations may apply for a temporary exemption from the law’s restrictions on manure applica-tions. Size of operation is defined in Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and is summarized in Table 2. The chief of the division of soil and water resources may grant an exemption of up to one year for a medium agricultural operation and up to two years for a small operation, if the operation is working toward compliance.

An exempted operation may request technical assistance to reach compliance, and will not be subject to civil penalties for viola-tions. The law defines small and medium agricultural operations in the same way as the Livestock Environmental Permitting program, based on the number of livestock according to species.

Complaints and Penalties The trigger for an investigation is a complaint by any person or information received by the state authority that a violation has occurred. Both the Fertilizer and Manure rules give the appropriate state authority the ability to assess civil penalties that shall not exceed $10,000 per violation. The right to a hearing and other administrative procedures are defined.

Certification requirements for using manure from Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFFs). (statewide) To utilize manure from a concentrated animal feeding facility that is regulated under ODA’s Division of Livestock Environmental Per-mitting, a person must either hold a Certified Livestock Manager license or be certified under Ohio’s Agricultural Fertilizer Applicator Certification program. The provision pertains only if applying the manure for agricultural production on more than 50 acres.

Obtaining Precipitation Information to Meet 12 and 24 Hour Forecast Criteria New Ohio regulations in targeted watersheds in the Western Lake Erie Basin require considering ground conditions and predicted rain-fall prior to granular fertilizer and manure applications started on 7/3/2015. For granular fertilizer, applications should not occur when the local forecast contains greater than a 50% chance of precipitation exceeding one inch in a twelve-hour period.

For manure, application should not occur when the local forecast contains greater than a 50% chance of precipitation exceeding one-

half inch in a 24 hour period. It is recommended that forecast information be printed off prior to planned applications. This provides the

applicator proof of reviewing the forecast if actual rainfall exceeds the predicted rainfall

Senate Bill #1 Application RestrictionsSenate Bill #1 Application Restrictions

Adapting to New RegulationsAdapting to New Regulations

It is important that we conduct ourselves as good

stewards of the environment, but also that we feed

our crops for higher economic yields. It is a fine line

to walk when balancing the economic benefit of

fertilizer with the adverse effects of runoff.

Restricting the application timing certainly puts a

crunch on the window of opportunity to apply

nutrients for the crop in the fall and the spring.

How can we achieve both? What can we do as

farmers and ag retailers to do a better job of

applying nutrients? These are questions we have to

ask ourselves as the landscape of applying nutrients

as fertilizer or manure change. The public is very

aware of the practices that have impact on their

waters, and we need to work together to make sure

we minimize water quality issues in the future.

Planning Ahead for Application

Planning and preparation gain importance. It is vital

that if you want nutrients applied in the fall before

working the ground that we have a plan. As we

experienced last November with record snowfall

early in the year, our windows can slam shut with-

out any warning from Mother Na-

ture!

Know What You Need!

A soil sample will be required for all

fertilizer applications starting in

2017. How do you know if you are

applying enough nutrients, or if you

are applying too much without

taking a soil sample?

We have several options for

sampling. The most effective way to

sample is by soil type in 2.5 acre

areas. This method allows a precise

Below is an example of a soil type map in

2.5 acre areas. The numbers are where

the samples were taken within the areas,

and separate maps will show the pH,

Phosphorous, and Potassium levels.

Application maps will also be provided

once a recommendation has been made.

application that is able to be done with the soil type in

mind.

Let’s Use the Technology!

Technology advancements have been tremendous

over the past ten years. Many combines now have

yield monitors, and planter tractors have the ability to

apply variable seeding rates. Let’s use the technology

for what it was intended to do; help us make better

decisions.

While soil sampling is a very accurate and essential

tool in applying nutrients, so are yield maps. Yield

maps give us an opportunity to extend our sampling to

a 3-4 year interval, and apply removal fertilizer from

the combine data. It is vital that both are used to

make the very best decisions for placing nutrients.

Planning ahead is required if you want to use the yield

maps for application of nutrients. While there is

technology now to transfer the data immediately,

using past maps to plan future applications is more

realistic. It allows pre-pay decisions to be made, and

files to be in order so a timely application can be

made.

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first

four sharpening the axe.” - Abraham Lincoln

Soil Sampling for the Best ResultsSoil Sampling for the Best Results

Why so many options in soil sampling?

5 acre areas? 10 acre areas? 25 acre areas?

By soil type? By Grids? By Field? By Elevation?

It seems that every consultant, farmer, and ag retailer

has their preferred way to sample. While in general

soil sampling seems like it would all be the same, the

result of the information in isn’t always the same as

the end application of nutrients to the field. Below

are a few things to consider when choosing a type of

sampling.

Take Soil Types into Account

When soil sampling, soil type is essential to determin-

ing the nutrient holding capacity of different areas of

the field. It is very important to take the soil type into

account when determining nutrient recommenda-

tions, especially for lime. Calcium is the most im-

portant nutrient in your soil, because it determines

the pH, which will effect the availability of many other

nutrients as well. When determining how much calci-

um (usually in lime, sometimes in gypsum) to apply,

the CEC and soil type directly relate. Samples that

take into account soil type usually show that only

parts of the field will require lime, and other areas do

not. In many cases the savings on this one lime appli-

cation more than pay for the sampling cost.

Using square grids or sampling in grids then laying the

soil types over later will not be as accurate as sam-

pling with a soil type map from the start. This is a

more simple way to sample because it allows you to

do all the sampling work in the field. For example for

grid sampling you run the perimeter, apply grids to

the field, and sample in one trip to the field. Sampling

by soil types requires a perimeter to be run, then tak-

en back to the office to apply soil type areas so the

samples can be taken in those exact areas. This is

much more accurate when pulling the samples, and

keeps the sample from being pulled on the edge of a

soil type zone.

What size area should I be sampling?

Our opinion is that 2.5 acre areas allow for the most

accurate results. Using the soil types in 2.5 acre areas

allows sampling to be done in manageable, but also

significantly accurate areas when managing the results

and creating recommendations. Larger areas lose ac-

curacy for long term buildup, and smaller areas be-

come cost ineffective with the number of samples

pulled.

Consider the Application Equipment!

Another advantage of the 2.5 acre by soil type method

deals with the application of nutrients. This method

allows the Variable Rate Spreader to react to changes

in the rate of application. Files we have seen from

many consultants have small areas or so many chang-

ing rates that the machines cannot react fast enough

to make an accurate spread according to the file. The

computer and sensors have to take time to react to

every changing data point on the file as rates change,

even if they are small rate changes. All of the fertilizer

makes it to the field, but it is unlikely that the invest-

ment of sampling has been correlated to the final nu-

trient application areas.

Consider the timeliness of decision making

The advantage that we have at Bambauer’s, is that we

help get the work done! It takes time and coordina-

tion to get your samples taken, send them in, get

them back, make recommendations, approve the plan

with the customer, create the correct application for

the equipment that will spread it, and finally make the

nutrient applications. This process is smooth without

confusion if we are helping you from square one. Our

goal is to provide you the nutrients you need while

being a good steward to the environment.

We have multiple options to meet your soil fertility

goals, and the equipment and people to get the nutri-

ent application done in a timely manner. Our fertility

portfolio is diverse including Lime, Gypsum, Enviro,

Poultry Litter, and Commercial Fertilizer.

We mean it when we say,

“Service is more than just a word with us!”

Bambauer Fertilizer & Seed, Inc. is based on service, and it has been

since the beginning. Our investments are made to continually improve

the service we provide to our customers.

One great example is the

new fertilizer facility and

new rail spur at Jackson

Center. This facility helps

us to load trucks faster,

create a superior blend

compared to our com-

petitor’s systems, and

bring an elevated level of service to our customers. This spring the new

facility was vital in helping to get fertilizer to the field faster. This al-

lowed more acres to be applied during the day, without long lines and

slow loading times holding us back.

We continue to invest in our grain facilities as well. The new tower dry-

er, faster elevator, and additional dump installed at New Knoxville de-

creased the wait time significantly last fall. This summer, improve-

ments continue at the

New Knoxville location

with a new larger storage

bin replacing an aged bin.

At the Pemberton loca-

tion, we are investing in a

large storage bin and a

new, fast dump and leg

to keep lines to a mini-

mum.

Thank you for your continued support! We look forward to rewarding

you with even better service in Agronomy and Grain as we begin to uti-

lize these updated facilities!

Christina Knief

Precision Specialist

Christina is a 2014 Graduate of Wilmington

College where she received her BS in Agri-

culture. While in college she was involved

in Delta Tau Alpha, Agriculture Honor Soci-

ety, Green Key Society, Aggies, Collegiate

4H, Agronomy Club, and Relay for Life.

Christina was hired in December 2014 to be

our Precision Specialist. She is working

with precision software to improve our

ability to use yield maps and soil samples to

develop better fertility plans with our cus-

tomers. She is also focused on the organi-

zation of our soil sampling program, and

will be the lead for field scouting during the

growing season. Christina resides east of

Jackson Center near Lewistown. We are

excited for

Christina to

join the

Bambauer

team, and

she looks

forward to

working with

you on your

farm!

Get the most efficiency from your phosphorous next spring!

Treat your fall dry MAP with AVAIL Phosphorus Enhancer!

Thank you for

taking the time to read

our newsletter. The articles

in this newsletter are always

topics that we feel are im-

portant and relevant to you,

and we welcome the ideas

and concerns you would like

to be addressed in upcoming

issues of Steppin’ Up. As al-

ways, we appreciate your

business and the opportuni-

ty to serve you! Have a safe

fall season!

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New Knoxville Location

419-753-2274

Jackson Center Location

937-596-5432

Pemberton Location

937-492-2827

Bambauer Fertilizer & Seed, Inc.

10573 Kettlersville Rd.

New Knoxville, Ohio 45871

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