Over-The-Top Dicamba Cutoff Dates For 2023 Are Set
With two recent announcements the EPA has approved labels for over-the-top dicamba applications (XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium herbicides) in 2023 in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.
There are key changes for 2023 applications compared to previous years:
- In Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, June 12 is application cutoff date. Also there is a growth stage cutoff of V4 for soybeans in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.
- In South Dakota, June 20 is the application cutoff date
- In Minnesota, south of Interstate 94 the cutoff date is June 12 and north of Interstate 94 the cutoff date is June 30; and applications are not permitted when the air temperature is over 85 degrees at the time of application or if the forecasted high temperature of the nearest available location exceeds 85 degrees
Dr. Aaron Hager, Associate Professor of Weed Science at University of Illinois shared some concerns about the change in Illinois applications from a June 20 to June 12 cutoff date. Hear from him in this farmdoc article and audio interview.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has three additional restrictions for OTT dicamba applications:
- A pesticide containing dicamba shall not be applied on soybeans if the air temperature at the field at the time of application is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit or if the National Weather Service’s forecasted high temperature for the nearest available location for the day of application exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Local National Weather Service forecasts are available at https://www.weather.gov.
- Before applying a pesticide containing dicamba on soybeans, the applicator shall consult the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry (https://www.fieldwatch.com) and comply with all associated recordkeeping and label requirements.
- Application on soybeans of a pesticide containing dicamba shall not be made if the wind is blowing toward: any Illinois Nature Preserves Commission site that is adjacent to the field of application; or an adjacent residential area.
One requirement for all XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium applications that continues for 2023 applications is the mandatory pre-season training. Bayer reports more than 4,000 growers and applicators have completed its company-led training so far in 2023, which outpaces previous years.
Growers and applicators are required to check online versions of the label within 7 days before application in case there are any newly applied state or federal updates.
Here are links to the landing pages for each herbicide product with its label and application requirements.