5 Things to Remember When Buying Ag Chemicals Online

FBN Network

Nov 15, 2023

When it’s time to buy ag chemicals for your operation, there are many decisions to be made. This checklist will help you keep track of five important things to remember when buying chem online.

And one bonus thing to remember before you make your purchases - now through November 21, you can take advantage of special Cyber November sale prices on a range of ag chem products from FBN.

1. Consider Generic vs. Branded Ag Chemicals

While generic products are not identical to their branded equivalents, they tend to be very similar in terms of performance. In fact, to receive an EPA registration, a generic product must have the same technical make-up as the branded version.

Often generic and branded products are even manufactured by the same companies.

Generic companies routinely perform field trials to evaluate their products against the branded equivalents. Plus, because generic manufacturers must use EPA approved surfactants and inert ingredients in their formulation, they do not use products of similar - if not the same - quality. 

[Read More: Understanding Branded vs. Generic Crop Protection Products]

2. Submit Your Paperwork Early

Check your FBN member profile to see if you’ve provided all of the necessary information required before checking out on your next order. You may need to:

  • Upload any relevant tax exemption forms for your operation

  • Review and sign the Master Distribution Agreement (MDA)

  • Submit the Grower Technology Agreement if you plan on purchasing traited seed

  • Upload Crop Protection Compliance paperwork, aka Restricted Use Product (RUP) certificate, if you plan to purchase crop protection

  • Complete either the RUP certificate requirements for yourself or on someone else’s behalf by uploading a photo of the RUP license

[Upload your Crop Protection Compliance paperwork to your profile.]

3. Know What You're Paying For

Farmers who buy chemicals know all too well that the lack of price transparency creates confusion and frustrating inconsistencies across the sector. FBN is dedicated to providing price transparency in an effort to put Farmers First®, empowering our 55,000+ member farmers to see market averages, quotes and invoiced prices on thousands of inputs. 

This focus on price transparency is not only changing the way farmers like you are doing business on your operation, it’s also securing huge savings along the way. 

"I save about 30,000 a year over local retail stores," says Brad Carlson, a farmer based in Iowa.

And with so many quality products to choose from on the FBN store, you can get both generic and branded products that directly pass on the savings to your operation. 

[Read the free 2023 FBN® Ag Chemical Price Transparency Report here.]

4. Try Using FBN® AcrePlans

Created with input from FBN agronomists, AcrePlan is the only digital chem program planning and purchasing tool currently available in the agriculture market. It is the next agronomic evolution of the FBN AcrePack.  

AcrePlan enables farmers to plan, price, and purchase individual passes for various chemical applications throughout the entire season and add it all to their cart at once, simplifying what can otherwise be a complicated, time-consuming process.

Available AcrePlan pass options include: 

  • Burndown

  • Pre emergence

  • Post emergence

  • Fungicide and insecticide 

AcrePlan even does the math for farmers by providing transparent and upfront dynamic pricing: 

  • Per acre

  • Per pass 

  • For an operation’s entire chem program.

[Read More: Streamline Chem Input Purchases with New AcrePlan Tool]

5. Plan Your Delivery Date

One of the benefits of ordering from FBN is that you’re in control of when your product is delivered. Our modern logistics network has fulfillment and logistics centers located around North America and beyond to ensure a dedicated supply chain. 

Schedule the direct-to-farm delivery time that's right for your operational schedule by selecting your preferred delivery date during the check out process.

[See FBN warehouse locations near you and learn more about FBN's logistics network.]

Take Control of Your Ag Chem Needs with FBN

The good news is that buying crop protection, crop nutrition and seed products is easy when you purchase through FBN. Plus, you'll get the visibility, transparency and confidence to make smart and efficient choices when purchasing inputs.

When you shop with FBN, you’ll see comprehensive information on thousands of ag products and be able to easily compare prices between chemicals using the same active ingredient. 

Now’s the time to check out what you’ve been missing. Become an FBN member today. 


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FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice. Terms and conditions apply.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.

FBN Network

Nov 15, 2023

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