EPA reinstates over-the-top label registration for dicamba through 2026

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will re-approve newer dicamba formulations for over-the-top use for the 2021 growing season through to 2026.

EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler made the announcement on Tuesday.

The herbicide was previously labeled for in-crop use in soybean and cotton varieties with traits that confer dicamba tolerance, but that approved use was de-registered this past June following a U.S. court decision.

The mid-season de-registration led to a patchwork of rules by state over whether or not farmers could use the product in the 2020 growing season or access product.

The ruling did not at any time impact Canadian labels or usage of the herbicide.

On Tuesday, the EPA announced dicamba-products Engenia, FeXapan, Tavium and XtendiMax will all be allowed to be used in-crop for the next growing season.

To manage off-site movement, EPA’s list of conditions for the approval include the following:

  • Requiring an approved pH-buffering agent (also called a Volatility Reduction Agent or VRA) be tank mixed with OTT dicamba products prior to all applications to control volatility.
  • Requiring a downwind buffer of 240 feet and 310 feet in areas where listed species are located.
  • Prohibiting over-the-too application of dicamba on soybeans after June 30 and cotton after July 30.
  • Simplifying the label and use directions so that growers can more easily determine when and how to properly apply dicamba.

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