By TIM ALEXANDER

Illinois Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Only trained and certified applicators will be able to spray in-season, or “over-the top,” dicamba on soybean and cotton crops in 2018.

The announcement is one aspect of sweeping new regulations and labeling requirements for the controversial herbicide initiated by the U.S. EPA, in cooperation with Monsanto, BASF and DuPont – the three dicamba formulation companies that market the product for in-season application.

Under the new rules, which were announced Oct. 13, dicamba formulations are now classified as restricted-use products, permitting only certified applicators with special training – and those under their supervision – to apply product. They also require farmers to maintain specific records of dicamba usage to improve compliance with label restrictions.

The maximum wind threshold for dicamba spray applications has been lowered to 10 mph from 15, and times available during the day when applications can occur have been reduced. New labeling language also requires producers to thoroughly clean out tanks after applications, and directs farmers to “sensitive crop registries” to increase awareness of risk to nearby crop fields.

The EPA’s 2018 regulations allow for dicamba use on genetically modified (GMO) crops in 34 states.

“Today’s actions are the result of intensive, collaborative efforts, working side by side with the states and university scientists from across the nation who have firsthand knowledge of the problem and workable solutions,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Our collective efforts with our state partners ensure we are relying on the best, on-the-ground information.”

EPA officials included land-grant universities such as the University of Arkansas, which recently engaged in a public feud with Monsanto over the Arkansas Plant Board’s earlier decision to suspend the use of dicamba for the remainder of the 2017 growing season, in its fact-finding process while developing the new rules. They also included the pesticide manufacturers, when gathering input on the underlying causes of the crop damage. USDA cooperative extension agents’ input was also sought.

The popular and effective herbicide is used by farmers on GMO dicamba-tolerant crops across the cotton and soybean belts. Upwards of 1,000 complaints of alleged off-target spray drift resulting in crop damage or loss have been lodged by Arkansas farmers this year, and more than 400 growers have complained to the Missouri Department of Agriculture. In Illinois, about 250 have filed complaints to date.

The product was granted a probationary two-year license for over-the-top applications for 2017 and 2018, meaning farmers’ stewardship will be under increased scrutiny next year. Dicamba manufacturers have agreed to begin working to get the revised labels onto the market in time for the 2018 growing season, according to the EPA, and will monitor the “success of these changes to help inform our decision whether to allow the continued ‘over the top’ use of dicamba beyond the 2018 growing season.”

Jean Payne, president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Assoc. (IFCA), said GMO soybean growers in Illinois who use dicamba will be held to a high standard next year by regulators, watchdog groups, the public and media.

“Even though we know we are going to have a lot more XTend soybeans planted, there will still be a significant number of non-GMO and organic soybeans out there as well, in a addition to sensitive specialty crops,” she said. “So yes, there will be very much a spotlight.

“The new application allows much more oversight and scrutiny, so if there are problems, the state departments of ag have a lot more to go on if they do an investigation. This year, no records were required.”

A phone call was made by U.S. EPA regions 5 and 7 to state departments of agriculture and pesticide extension educators on Oct. 19 to discuss implementation of the label changes and new regulations for dicamba. States were directed to develop their own plans to educate and train farmers on the new requirements.

“Essentially, what EPA is requiring is proof the applicator, whether it is a farmer or commercial applicator, went through a training course. It’s up to the states to decide how they want to provide the training,” Payne said. “There are a lot of options for states to customize what works best for them. What has to be covered is the basics of the new dicamba level, whether it is done through a combination of videos, online or through instructional materials and handouts.”

The product registrants will be issuing new training recommendations targeted to the new label for farmers by the end of the year. Many states will simply adopt the registrants’ training recommendations, Payne predicted. In addition, IFCA will be posting new dicamba handling recommendations on www.ifca.com

Farmers can contact their herbicide retailer, local USDA or extension offices or chemical/fertilizer state organizations for specific information about the new regulations.

A selective herbicide in the benzoic family of chemicals, dicamba is also registered for use on corn, wheat and other crops. It is used mainly to control broadleaf weeds such as dandelions and chickweed. Unlike for GMO cotton and soybeans, dicamba is not licensed for over-the-top applications of the other crops.

According to an EPA FAQ sheet, when used according to label directions, “dicamba is safe for everyone, including infants, the developing fetus, the elderly and more highly exposed groups such as agricultural workers.” In addition, conservative screening level risk assessments have determined that over-the-top use of dicamba on GMO crops “does not exceed” EPA’s level of concern for pollinators or bees, in addition to listed endangered species.