On October 31, 2018, USEPA issued a decision to allow the continued use of dicamba on soybean for the crop years 2019 and 2020.
In November 2019, the Illinois Department of Agriculture issued 24c Special Local Needs (24c) labels that enact specific restrictions for use in Illinois, including a June 15, 2020 cut-off date for application. The Illinois label will also include a 85 degree temperature restriction, in addition to other provisions outlined below. The Illinois 24c label requires the following provisions be followed:
- DO NOT apply this product 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. (Use the Local National Weather Service forecast for your field's zip code, available at https://www.weather.gov.)
- DO NOT apply this product after June 20, 2020.
- DO NOT apply this product when the wind is blowing toward adjacent residential areas.
- Before making an application of this product, the applicator must consult the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry (https://www.fieldwatch.com) and comply with all associated record keeping label requirements.
- Maintain the label-specified downwind buffer between the last treated row and the nearest downfield edge of any Illinois Nature Preserves Commission site. (Note: IFCA has posted the DNR sensitive areas on our homepage at www.ifca.com).
- It is best to apply product when the wind is blowing away from sensitive areas, which include but are not limited to bodies of water and non-residential, uncultivated areas that may harbor sensitive plant species.
Please go to the "Labels, Forms and Other Resources" section on this website to access the new labels for Engenia, Xtendimax, eXapan and Tavium including the Special Local Needs labels. Click on FAQs section of the website for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
The additional general provisions of the dicamba labels are:
- Only certified applicators may apply dicamba over the top (those working under the supervision of a certified applicator may no longer make applications);
- For farmers (private applicators) if you have a relative, business partner or farm employee apply dicamba on your farm, they must have a current private applicator license issued by the State of Illinois.
- For ag retailers, licensed operators must have passed the field crop exam in addition to the general standards exam in order to be licensed as a certified commercial applicator to apply dicamba.
- To see the schedule of private and commercial applicator training and testing clinics, click here: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/psep/index.php
- Prohibits over-the-top application of dicamba on soybeans 45 days after planting and cotton 60 days after planting - however, compliance with the June 20, 2020 cutoff day supercedes any planting date restriction;
- For soybean, limits the number of over-the-top applications to 2 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 to protect sensitive areas, and there is a 57-foot omnidirectinoal buffer around all other sides of the field to protect sensitive areas (the 110-foot downwind buffer applies to all applications, not just in counties where endangered species may exist) Click here to see a map of Illinois showing the counties where applications of dicamba on soybean must also comply with the 57 foot omnidirectional buffer to protect sensitive areas;
- Dicamba-specific training will AGAIN be required for anyone applying dicamba in 2020. IDA will accept both classroom and on-line training options for certification. Check this website for links to on-line training and classroom training events;
- 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 consistency to improve compliance and enforceability;
The registration for all dicamba products will expire on December 20, 2020, unless EPA further extends it. Learn more: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/registration-dicamba-use-genetically-engineered-crops
If you have questions about this program, contact the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association at 309-827-2774.