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Fertilizer

Arkansas Fertilizer Overview

The Arkansas Fertilizer Program, managed by the QCC Section of the Plant Industries Division of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, ensures fertilizer distributed in the state meets safety, labelling, and nutrient standards. This program is administered by A.C.A. § 2-19-201 et. seq. and related rules, which mandate registration and facility licensing, required tonnage reporting, and the Department’s enforcement via inspections and penalties.

Anyone selling, offering, or distributing fertilizer in or into Arkansas must register the brand / product with this program before any sale or transfer.

Any manufacturer, individual, or company that mixes, blends, or stores fertilizer in Arkansas must obtain the Fertilizer Facility License from this program before doing so.  

For questions, email [email protected] or call (501) 219-6339.

Registration of Fertilizer Materials

Registration and licensing must be renewed by June 30 of each year.

  • Who Must Register:
    • All manufacturers, jobbers, and manipulators—both in and out of Arkansas—that wish to sell or offer for sale fertilizer in Arkansas must register each brand / product.
  • What Constitutes a Brand / Product:
    • Any commercial fertilizer differing in any aspect other than nutrient grade (N-P-K) or common name is considered a separate brand. ‘Brand’ may be used interchangeably with ‘product’ in this program.
  • Application Process & Fees:
    • Forms for this program are located below. Submit a “FERTILIZER BRAND/PRODUCT REGISTRATION FORM,” providing $25 for each brand.
    • Or submit a “FERTILIZER FACILITY APPLICATION FORM,” providing $50 for each location.
  • Special Cases:
    • Products combining fertilizer and soil amendment claims are registered as fertilizers; specialty fertilizers (e.g., for gardens, lawns, research) fall under the same policy.
  • Seed Treatments & Adjuvants:
    • Fertilizer seed treatments or adjuvants that don’t claim nutrient or soil amendment effect do not require fertilizer registration. If pesticide claims are made, registration with the Department’s Pesticide Section is required.

Arkansas Fertilizer Law & Rules

  • Statutory Basis:
    • The Arkansas Fertilizer Act outlines the requirements for fertilizer brand registration and licensing of blending/storage facilities.
  • Facilities Licensing:
    • Facilities involved in fertilizer blending or bulk storage within Arkansas must be licensed. Licenses expire June 30 annually.
  • Fertilizer Brand/Product Registration:
    • Each fertilizer brand or product offered for sale or distributed within or into Arkansas must first be registered with this office.
  • Tonnage Reporting & Fees:
    • Registrants that register brand/products must report monthly tonnages for those brands/products sold or distributed by the 20 of the following month, accompanied by a fee of $2.40 per ton or fractional ton. Of this amount, $0.62 goes to the AR State Plant Board Fund and $1.78 supports the University of Arkansas Soil Testing & Research Fund.
  • Each Fertilizer Container Must Show Analysis:
    • Any fertilizer sold or distributed within or into Arkansas shall have on its container the required labeling information, including but not limited to name and address of manufacturer, the net weight in pounds, the brand name or trademark, and the guaranteed analysis (%).
  • Record-Keeping & Department Inspection:
    • The Department reserves the right to inspect or audit the books of any manufacturer, manipulator, or its agents to determine accuracy of company records.
    • Retain fertilizer company records for up to three (3) years, making documentation available for inspection upon request.

Department Rules Webpage

Please review the entire program Rules, located at the link above. Ensure you pay close attention to all labeling requirements.

Fertilizer Forms

All registered fertilizer brands must submit monthly tonnage report forms detailing the amount sold or distributed.

Monthly Fertilizer Tonnage Report Forms are due by the 20 of the following month, accompanied by a fee of $2.40 per ton or fractional ton.

Late tonnage reports may result in late fees, see penalties information below.  

Form Submission: Fertilizer forms may be submitted via email to [email protected] or via post mail to the Department.

  • Forms submitted via email: Payments to the program may be made using the online payment portal link below.
  • Forms submitted via post mail: Mail your check or money order with the associated form to the Department.

Fertilizer Program Fees

  • Fertilizer Brand/Product Registration: $25.00 per brand (registrations expire June 30 annually; must renew each brand before June 30 annually)
  • Tonnage Fee: $2.40 per ton or partial ton of registered fertilizer material sold or distributed (reports due each month during registration)
  • Late Tonnage Report Fees: See penalties & violations information below.
  • Fertilizer Facility License: $50.00 per facility/location (licenses expire June 30 annually; must renew license before June 30 annually)
ONLINE PAYMENT PORTAL

Online Payment Portal Instructions:

  1. Complete all fields in the payment portal, ensuring your name matches the name on your submitted application. Make sure no information is left blank.
  2. When prompted to search for a product, search for “FERT.”
  3. Select the product line needed: “FERTILIZER BULK STORAGE FACILITY LICENSE,” “FERTILIZER PRODUCT REGISTRATION,” or “FERTILIZER TONNAGE.”
  4. For monthly tonnage payments, calculate your tonnage amount for all brands or products sold/distributed within the state for the month. Set the total quantity to reflect the total tonnages distributed for that quarter.
  5. For brand/product registrations, total the number of brands or products you are registering, and set that total as the quantity amount. For example: Five (5) Products Registered multiplied by $25.00 = $125.00 total
  6. For fertilizer storage facility licenses, total the number of facilities and locations you are licensing, and set that total as the quantity amount. For example: Five (5) Facilities or Locations Licensed multiplied by $50.00 = $250.00 total
  7. Scroll to the bottom of the page, click “update,” and verify the Total Amount.
  8. Click “Pay” and enter your Card/Billing Information. 
  9. Retain the payment confirmation information with your files. You may be asked to provide a Receipt or Confirmation Number.

Penalties & Violation

  • DEFICIENT ANALYSIS:
    • If internal Department analysis reveals nutrient deficiencies (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorous, potash) beyond labeled guarantees:
      • 3 – 5% deficiency: liable for actual deficiency
      • Over 5% deficient: triple the shortage’s value
      • If any primary nutrient is 10%+ deficient: liable for full shortage value
  • SHORT WEIGHT PENALTIES:
    • 1 – 5% short in weight: liable for actual shortage
    • Over 5%: three times value of actual shortage
  • OTHER FERTILIZER PENALTIES:
    • Penalties apply for any other labeled discrepancies or harmful excesses as determined by the Department.
    • Any commercial fertilizer sold must contain a minimum of twenty (20) units of primary plant food (nitrogen (N), available phosphate (P2O5), & soluble potash (K2O)
        • This requirement does not apply to special agricultural crop fertilizer formulations or to specialty fertilizers; see rules for more information.
  • LATE TONNAGE REPORT PENALTIES:
    • 1 – 14 days late: normal fee + 10%
    • 15 – 30 days late: normal fee + 20%
    • 31+ days late: normal fee doubled
  • ENFORCEMENT PROCESS:
    • Department inspectors sample fertilizers and submit them for lab analysis. Deficiencies trigger monetary penalties; stop-sale order may apply where necessary.
    • Failure to submit required reports may result in brand or product registration cancellation among other enforcement actions.
    • Any person selling or offering for sale any fertilizer or fertilizer materials in violation of the AR Fertilizer Act or associated rules shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to monetary penalties.

Resources

Email questions to [email protected] or call (501) 219-6339.

FERTILIZER RESOURCES: