MDA Announces Changes in Use of Dicamba Herbicide

 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture provided an update on Monday, June 8th about the recent court ruling of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding dicamba products: At this time Minnesota farmers can use XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology, Engenia Herbicide, and FeXapan with VaporGrip Technology while following all federal and Minnesota label requirements. 

 

University of Minnesota Extension provided management options for the control of broadleaf weeds without the three dicamba herbicides listed in the original court ruling in a recent (June 5th) Crop News article, Options after dicamba registrations vacated. These recommendations are still valid if dicamba is not utilized.

 

Regardless of if dicamba-based herbicides are used or not, applicators should refer to the specific herbicide label and make applications to weeds that are four inches or smaller in height. Broadleaf weed growth has been very rapid given the recent warm weather, so timely herbicide applications are critical. Although timely applications are critical, avoid applications during adverse weather conditions, including the very windy conditions present throughout the state today, and forecasted for the first portion of this week.

 

 

 

Upon further review of state law and while awaiting guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the ruling of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding dicamba products, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will continue operating under existing pesticide program authorities. According to Minnesota law, an unregistered pesticide previously registered in the state may be used following the cancellation of the registration of the pesticide.

 

At this time Minnesota farmers can use XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology (EPA Reg. No. 524-617), Engenia Herbicide (EPA Reg. No. 7969-345), and DuPont FeXapan with VaporGrip Technology (EPA Reg. No. 352-913) while following all federal and Minnesota label requirements. (Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology (EPA Reg. No. 100-1623) was not part of the two-year federal registration and can still be used according to the label). The Department does not anticipate taking enforcement action against those who continue to appropriately use these products. This may change at any time pending additional guidance from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

“The Circuit Court of Appeals decision to revoke the use of these products was, unfortunately, very untimely for our farmers as many had already purchased the herbicide for this growing season,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Timing is critical for farmers to apply the products and our further interpretation of Minnesota law allows us to use these products.”

 

As a reminder, all dicamba pesticide applicators in Minnesota must follow use instructions on the product label including the timing restrictions below. Dicamba products cannot be applied to dicamba-tolerant (DT) soybeans in Minnesota if any of the following conditions has occurred. Whichever cutoff time occurs first will determine whether a person can apply a given product to DT soybeans until June 20, 2020.

In Minnesota, all four dicamba products are “Restricted Use Pesticides” for retail sale to, and for use only by, certified applicators who have complete dicamba or auxin-specific training.