Fertilizer Program
Product
Registration
Dealer License
Anhydrous Ammonia
Analytical Laboratory
AAPFCO
Laws & Rules
Monthly
Reporting Form
Semi-annual
Report Form
It is the responsibility of the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) to inspect and ensure the quality of all fertilizer products manufactured, sold or distributed in Montana. The MDA provides statewide regulatory services to the general public and specific agricultural industries.
The Fertilizer Program's major objectives are:
- safeguarding the health of humans, animals, and plants;
- promoting safe, uniform and effective fertilizer products that are of high quality;
- ensuring truth in the labeling of products; and
- making sure there is standardization and uniformity of fertilizer terms and definitions.
Inspections of fertilizer are made at manufacturing, storage, distribution, transportation, border crossing, retail and end-user locations statewide. Manufacturers, with some exemptions, are required to obtain proper licenses and are checked for good manufacturing practices. Any person or business that distributes any type of fertilizer or soil amendment, except un-manipulated animal or vegetable manures or specialty fertilizers, is required to obtain a license. A license is required for each facility distributing into Montana and for each handling facility in the state. The statute requires that each brand and grade of fertilizer and each soil amendment except un-manipulated animal and vegetable manures, be annually registered by or on behalf of the manufacturer before distribution in Montana.
All fertilizer products are also verified to have proper labeling. A new product or revised product is considered for registration only after a review of the label and the data is confirmed.
Products are sampled for survey, investigation, complaint and special study purposes. Samples are submitted to the Analytical Laboratory in Bozeman, analyzed and recorded as meeting analytical claims or not meeting claims. Laboratory results are reported to the manufacturer and other interested parties.
Complaints are handled in a confidential, timely, and objective manner. Discrepancies between a claim and an actual result are investigated and appropriate enforcement action is taken according to state law. This enforcement may include, a warning, stop sales, embargoes, penalty assessments, civil and/or criminal prosecutions.
Program contacts:
Larry Krum
Anhydrous Ammonia Program Coordinator
Phone: (406) 444-3730
Bob Church
Fertilizer Program Coordinator
Anhydrous Ammonia
Phone: (406) 444-3730
Laws & Rules:
Montana Code Annotated
Administrative Rules of Montana
