3 Changes to Dicamba Label in Iowa and Minnesota
EPA Dicamba Restrictions 031722
On March 15, the EPA announced three label changes for the application of over-the-top dicamba relevant for applications in Iowa and Minnesota.
Per the EPA, the revised labeling prohibits over-the-top dicamba application:
- On dicamba-tolerant crops after June 20 in Iowa
- On dicamba-tolerant crops south of Interstate 94 after June 12 in Minnesota (the cut-off date for land north of Interstate 94 remains June 30)
- 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 in Minnesota.
The above three amendments were requested by the pesticide registrants in consultation with the states.
In its announcement, EPA stated, “These restrictions are intended to reduce the likelihood of volatility and offsite movement of over-the-top dicamba by avoiding application on days with high temperatures. Among other requirements, the product registrants must add the amended labeling to their training and educational materials and disseminate this information to pesticide authorities and agricultural extension services to assist users in their local area. These label amendments demonstrate EPA’s ongoing commitment to help states address issues related to incidents in their jurisdictions.”
In 2021, the agency reported it received 3,500 dicamba-related incident reports, including approximately 711 incidents in Minnesota and 528 incidents in Iowa.
In the U.S. last year, EPA said more than one million acres of non-dicamba-tolerant soybean crops were allegedly damaged by off-target movement of dicamba.
