A federal agency announces its approval for the continued registration of a valuable tool used to combat tough to control weeds.
AUDIO: Ryan Rubischko, Bayer
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Wednesday announced the continued registration of the XtendiMax? herbicide with VaporGrip? technology. Wheeler believes the two-year extension with new label restrictions will “provide certainty for all stakeholders ahead of the upcoming growing season.”
Dicamba portfolio lead Ryan Rubischko says receiving prolonged access to this technology is “an important milestone.”
?The first thing to highlight is the EPA?s recognition and confidence in approving this technology in XtendiMax?,? Rubischko said. ?We?ve seen training and education being key. We had nearly 100,000 farmers and applicators trained through this past season, (which) lead to outstanding results.?
Changes made to the product?s label for 2019-2020 include:
- 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 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
Individual states now have an opportunity to review and approve this technology. Bayer plans to revise its RoundUp Ready Xtend website, to keep its farmer-customers up-to-date on the latest state approvals.
?As those state approvals occur, we think we can help our farmer-customers keep up-to-date on those approvals on our RoundUp Ready Xtend website. There?s a tab specifically for state approvals, and we?ll be updating that on the days and weeks ahead as states make those reviews and ultimately approve XtendiMax for the coming season,? Rubischko said.
For more information about the registration of dicamba for use on dicamba-tolerant crops, click here.
