FEBRUARY 23, 2023:
The US Environmental Protection Agency has approved (Feb. 16, 2023) labeling amendments to reduce risks from the use of dicamba in South Dakota.
The revised labeling prevents the use of dicamba on dicamba tolerant crops after June 20 to lessen the potential for dicamba to volatilize and drift off site. Dicamba is a herbicide sprayed over-the-top of genetically engineered soybeans tolerant to the active ingredient in dicamba to control certain types of broadleaf weeds.
South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Secretary Hunter Roberts says dicamba products are an important tool farmers need to protect their crops. He says changing the deadline from June 30 to June 20 allows for continued use, while minimizing the risk of damage caused by off target movement of dicamba products.
The amendment was proposed by dicamba product registrants, in consultation with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR).
As a reminder, pesticide dealers and applicators in South Dakota must be licensed and must follow product label instructions including application timing restrictions. For more information on DANR’s pesticide program visit https://danr.sd.gov/Agriculture/Inspection/Pesticide/default.aspx.
FEBRUARY 20, 2023:
The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed new restrictions on using over-the-top dicamba herbicides in South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana.
The label changes say:
- No spraying on DT crops after June 20 in South Dakota.
- No spraying on dicamba-tolerant soybeans in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana after June 12 or the V4 growth stage, whichever comes first.
- No spraying on DT cotton in Iowa, Illinois, or Indiana after June 12 or first square, whichever happens first.
The EPA also said Minnesota’s label requirements remain the same as in 2022.
The reaction to the change has not been positive in the soybean industry.
Aaron Hager, a University of Illinois weed scientist, told DTN the timing couldn’t have been worse for soybean growers who intend to plant certain varieties. “Most or all seed decisions have been made, and now we have to contend with new cutoffs in the largest soybean states in the U.S.,” he says.
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