All bulk fertilizer sold in Illinois for agricultural use is subject to a 75 cent per ton assessment for the Nutrient Research & Education Council.  This industry-funded program is designed to ensure that we have the research, data and outreach to increase crop productivity and improve nutrient efficiency.  NREC funds are held outside of state government and cannot be swept and used for other purposes.  NREC is established to fund programs and projects dedicated to finding new methods and technologies to minimize losses of nutrients from the agricultural sector.  This will ensure improved efficiency, profitability and environmental responsibility in ways that can help us keep fertilizer recommendations in the hands of ag retailers and farmers and not subject to one size fits all regulation.  Illinois is often cited as a state that contributes to nitrogen losses and our tile drained landscape challenges our industry to find new and better ways to assure we keep our nutrients for the crop.  IFCA has prepared a guidance document that explains how retailers can manage the NREC assessment if you decide to list it on the fertilizer invoice, which many in the industry are doing.  The members of the Nutrient Research & Education Council have asked the ag retail sector to help educate farmers about the importance of the NREC program to the future of Illinois agriculture.  Click here to see the guidance document http://ifca.com/media/Assessment%20Recommendation.pdf   You can also direct customers to the NREC website at http://illinoisnrec.org to view a short video about NREC, download a brochure and see the types of programs NREC is funding in its first year.  If you have questions about the NREC assessment please contact IFCA.