Search

Dicamba Updates for 2022 in Iowa

March 23, 2022 3:04 PM
Blog Post

On March 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the label amendments that further restrict the use of over-the-top dicamba in Iowa and Minnesota. These changes came after the reports of high numbers of off-target dicamba injury incidents in Iowa and Minnesota in 2021.

Category: 

Read Your Pesticide Labels: Temperature Inversions

June 18, 2020 4:40 PM
Blog Post

Temperature Inversions

It is never recommended to spray a pesticide when a temperature inversion exists, and many labels provide guidelines to follow in order to avoid applications during one. This blog will discuss what temperature inversions are, why they can be dangerous for pesticide applications, and how to identify when temperature inversions are happening.

Read Your Pesticide Labels: Dicamba Edition

June 1, 2020 1:45 PM
Blog Post

In order to keep up with any changes and updates on pesticide uses and restrictions from year to year, it’s important to thoroughly read the label before any applications are made, even if the same product was used the previous year. If nothing else, it helps to refresh our memory on the particulars of specific products that are applied to ensure optimum pest control and environmental protection. Since 2017, growers have been able to utilize dicamba products labeled for over-the-top application in soybean.

Downwind Buffers and Susceptible Crop Restrictions for New Dicamba Products

January 13, 2018
dicamba spraying diagram

In response to problems with off-target movement and injury associated with dicamba applications on dicamba-resistant (Xtend) soybean, the EPA made significant changes to labels of the new dicamba products.  While much of the discussion has focused on the Restricted Use designation and the requirement for applicators to receive dicamba-specific training, the EPA also clarified how downwind buffers and protections of susceptible crops are to be implemented.

Category: 
Crop: 

Dicamba: Past, Present, and Future

December 27, 2017 3:37 PM
Blog Post

Dicamba has been an important component of Iowa weed management systems for more than 40 years.  The history of its use is somewhat unique in that its popularity has ebbed and flowed over time.  The increase in herbicide resistant weeds combined with the introduction of dicamba-resistant soybean (Xtend) promises a large increase in dicamba use in both corn and soybean.  This article will review the characteristics of dicamba that differentiate it from other herbicides, provide an overview of problems observed in 2017, and describe how risks can be minimized in 2018.

Category: 

Time to stop spraying dicamba on Xtend Beans?

June 26, 2017 12:57 PM
Blog Post

We are now past the Summer Solstice, which means daylight hours will be getting shorter and we will starting seeing more flowers on soybean plants in fields, which has triggered questions about when we have to stop using dicamba on Xtend beans.

There isn’t really a true “cutoff date” for applying dicamba post-emergence on soybeans. The label tells us to stop applications based on growth stages of the soybean plants.

Category: 

Oh, when will they ever learn?

February 26, 2017 8:13 AM
Blog Post

It has been several years since I’ve added anything to the Herbicide Ad Hall of Shame, but I feel DuPont’s sales sheet for Fexapan warrants inclusion.  At a time when nearly everyone realizes we are painting ourselves into a corner with herbicide resistance, it is disheartening to see a promotion claiming that a product is the answer to resistant weeds

Increased Dicamba Use Requires Enhanced Stewardship

November 15, 2016

The EPA recently approved a new, low-volatile dicamba formulation - M1768 (XtendimaxTM with VaporGripTM Technology) for dicamba-resistant soybean cultivars.  While we recognize the benefit this technology provides in managing the growing herbicide resistance problem, we have concerns regarding the risks for non-target plant injury associated with an anticipated expanded use of dicamba.

Category: 
Crop: 

Is this ad Hall of Shame worthy?

October 17, 2016 6:26 AM
Blog Post

One of the more popular pages on the old ISU Weed Science website was the Herbicide Ad Hall of Shame. It featured ads that I deemed went against Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles. Recently, two of my colleagues nominated the attached ad that promotes the effectiveness of dicamba in Roundup Ready2 Xtend (RR2 Xtend) soybeans. While I think the ad has serious problems, I don’t believe it blatantly disregards IPM, thus I’m not placing it in the Hall of Shame.


The following are valid concerns regarding the advertisement:1, 2

Category: 

Pages