SB 747 would require every landowner in the state with more than 200 acres of irrigated agricultural land to register and annually report fertilizer use, with a goal of having the Oregon Department of Agriculture “identify persons who are overapplying fertilizer” and impose civil penalties for violations.
This bill has been scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, February 4 at 1 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire. Agricultural groups have NOT been engaged on this bill concept and we had no notice of this bill’s hearing ahead of it getting scheduled for a hearing next week.
Please engage in-person if possible, we need producers to show up and testify in strong opposition to this bill!
Use the talking points below to craft a personalized email to Chair Golden and the Committee in OPPOSITION to SB 747.
To register to testify in opposition to SB 747 here; click on “Register to Testify” next to the bill number for in-person or virtual testimony.
Talking Points
- Fertilizer is a very expensive input, with costs skyrocketing in recent years. Producers are already disincentivized from applying more than is needed.
- Fertilizer rates vary widely based on crop and soil type, weather, and a list of other factors. Rates alone cannot determine overapplication, and there is no standardized guidance on rates based on the variety of factors that impact nutrient needs and uptake. Agronomic rates vary even between different varieties of the same crop.
- The concept as drafted reflects a lack of understanding of both crop nutrition science and groundwater impacts.
- 200 acres is an arbitrary number with no connection to data or evidence.
- What is being proposed here is a multi-million dollar program that would not yield the information suggested in the bill language.
- This issue deserves a robust discussion with producers and experts.
