IFCA is pleased to announce the return of selecting a Custom Applicator for the third year in a row.  Last year we had a wonderful response from our retail members with submitting nomination forms that we just had to continue the program in order to recognize even more of the outstanding applicators in Illinois.  The nomination forms were narrowed down to 4 finalists for 2023 ...more

Last Friday was the deadline to get a bill that originated in the House off of the House floor and move to the Senate. The house worked extra hours last week to try and get as many bills over to the Senate as possible. There were 9,751 bills introduced this spring session. IFCA is watching more than two hundred pieces of legislation that could have ...more

IFCA has recently received questions regarding rules for transportation of nurse tanks on roadways. Click here to read a document IFCA produced that covers requirements when hauling nurse tanks to and from the field.

IFCA wants to reminder our members that US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed out a Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Compliance Advisory regarding custom blending. This encompasses blending pesticides with other pesticides, pesticides with fertilizer, and pesticides with feed.   There are no new regulations, but it is meant to clarify the existing regulations for those who custom blend. The information is ...more

As we enter the 2024 season here in Illinois, IFCA wants to remind all members that the restrictions for dicamba use on soybeans by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) are the same restrictions required in 2023. Dicamba label training is still required every year prior to applying dicamba over-the-top of soybeans. You can complete any one of the three trainings for dicamba application to soybeans ...more

On Tuesday EPA released an updated Herbicide Strategy that appears to take in consideration the concerns raised by IFCA and other agricultural stakeholders. The agency has been under pressure from the courts to comply with a feature of the Endangered Species Act that requires EPA to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National Marine Fisheries Service to avoid harm to federally listed ...more

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is again coordinating the annual pesticide container recycling program this year. The 2024 program will run from July 17th through August 7th, where IDOA will accept clean, triple rinsed containers and will also accept clean, cut-up mini-bulk containers. For any questions regarding the IDA recycling program, please contact Rick Severns at IDA at 217-785-2427 or call the IFCA ...more

Earlier this spring, one of our members received a phone call from an unknown individual requesting to purchase fertilizer over the phone. The individual in question wanted to purchase a rather large amount of fertilizer and was willing to provide payment over the phone.  This individual would not provide any details on the intended use and made several follow-up phone calls trying to convince ...more

As we prepare for the upcoming spring ammonia season, here are fourteen key safety reminders to keep foremost in mind when handling ammonia.     14 Key Safety Reminders and Recommendations for Handling & Transporting Anhydrous Ammonia from IFCA   1. Remember to always utilize your ammonia gloves and chemical splash goggles when working around ammonia. Never wear contact lenses when working around anhydrous ammonia.   2. Always ...more

With the start of the spring season quickly approaching and the news of a containment breach in Iowa and most recently in Illinois, this is a good reminder to make sure operational and secondary containment structures are well maintained and inspected on a regular basis. Some of the IDOA requirements include visually inspecting containment structures weekly including written inspections and maintenance, inspection and maintenance of ...more