An update yesterday by Tricia Braid, which was posted at the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Online, stated that, “EPA has extended the registration for dicamba but you should know these two key points: 1) it prohibits over-the-top application of dicamba on soybeans 45 days after planting, and 2) applications are limited, as they were previously, to two over the top.
“Illinois Corn Growers Association President Aron Carlson says that the EPA’s decision to extend the registration of dicamba for two years for ‘over-the-top’ use (application to growing plants) to control weeds in fields for cotton and soybean plants genetically engineered to resist dicamba is a welcome indication that the collaborative nature of the registration process was well informed by input from and extensive collaboration between EPA, state regulators, farmers, academic researchers, pesticide manufacturers, and other stakeholders.
“‘Dicamba, and other products regulated by EPA are important tools in our business,’ said Carlson. ‘ICGA supports access to products that have been proven to be safe by scientific standards. We also support education and training programs so that farmers and other applicators are well versed in on-label use so that we can continue to have access to these types of products over time.'”
Yesterday’s ICGA update added that, “The following label changes were made to ensure that these products can continue to be used effectively while addressing potential concerns to surrounding crops and plants:
“Dicamba registration decisions for 2019-2020 growing season
- Two-year registration (until December 20, 2020)
- Only certified applicators may apply dicamba over the top (those working under the supervision of a certified applicator may no longer make applications)
- Prohibit over-the-top application of dicamba on soybeans 45 days after planting and cotton 60 days after planting
- For cotton, limit the number of over-the-top applications from 4 to 2 (soybeans remain at 2 OTT applications)
- Applications will be allowed only from 1 hour after sunrise to 2 hours before sunset
- In counties where endangered species may exist, the downwind buffer will remain at 110 feet and there will be a new 57-foot buffer around the other sides of the field (the 110-foot downwind buffer applies to all applications, not just in counties where endangered species may exist)
- Clarify the training period for 2019 and beyond, ensuring consistency across all three products
- Enhanced tank clean-out instructions for the entire system
- Enhanced label to improve applicator awareness on the impact of low pH’s on the potential volatility of dicamba
- Label clean up and consistency to improve compliance and enforceability
- The registration for all dicamba products will automatically expire on December 20, 2020, unless EPA further extends it.”
