Chemigation (or fertigation) is the process of applying agricultural chemicals to cropland via injection into water pumping through an irrigation system. Many farmers irrigating across the Lower Loup Natural Resources District use chemigation to apply fertilizer and pesticides to their farm fields.

Nebraska law states that before an irrigator can begin chemigation, a permit must be obtained from their local Natural Resources District.

Now is the time for chemigation permit renewal. Those renewal applications must be returned to the Lower Loup Natural Resources District office by June 1, 2023. Renewal fees are $30.00 for each application. All renewals require inspection every three years. Any application received after June 1, 2023, will be treated as a new application. Each new permit application requires a $100.00 fee, as well as a thorough inspection of each chemigation site by an NRD technician before chemigation can begin.

There are numerous advantages for the irrigator using chemigation, but there are also some risks that come along with it. Any closed irrigation system has the potential for backflow. To avoid contamination of groundwater aquifers and surface water sources, the chemigation system must be properly set up, diligently maintained by the owner, and should only be operated by personnel who are properly trained.

Chemigation applications can be picked up at the Lower Loup Natural Resources District headquarters office at 2620 Airport Drive in Ord. Download chemigation applications by visiting the Forms tab at www.llnrd.org. As always, reach the Lower Loup NRD at (308) 728-3221.

Please be aware of your own personal safety while working with these chemicals.