On October 31, 2018, USEPA issued a decision to allow the continued use of dicamba on soybean for the years 2019 and 2020.
On March 1, 2019, the Illinois Department of Agriculture issued 24c Special Local Needs labels that enact specific restrictions for use in Illinois. Please click on this press release to details on the June 30, 2019 cutoff date and other provisions that all applicators must comply with when applying these products to DT soybeans in Illinois.
Please go to the Labels, Forms and Other Resources section on this website to access the new labels for Engenia, Xtendimax and FeXapan. Click on FAQs above for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
The general provisions of the new dicamba labels are:
- Two year registration (until December 20, 2020)
- 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 now pass the field crop exam in addition to the general standards exam in order to be licensed as a certified commercial appliator 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
- 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 to protect sensitive areas, and there will be a new 57-foot 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)
- Clarify training period for 2019 and beyond, ensuring consistency across all three products
- Dicamba-specific training will AGAIN be required for anyone applying dicamba in 2019. Classroom training is recommended, but training is also available via webinars or on-line from BASF and Bayer. Go to the "Register" section of this website and view the available classroom and webinar opportunities.
- BASF on-line training is available here: https://www.engeniastewardship.com/#/training
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Bayer on-line training is available here:
http://ec2-35-172-160-56.compute-1.amazonaws.com/ -
There is no charge to attend any of the training.
- 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
The registration for all dicamba products will automatically 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.