Soybean rows form an aerial view

(Photo: Iowa Soybean Association / Joclyn Bushman)

Submit comments regarding access to dicamba

May 30, 2024

In February 2024, the U.S. District Court of Arizona's ruling vacated the 2020 registrations for over-the-top (OTT) dicamba products, prompting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue an Existing Stocks Order. This order allows limited sale and distribution of dicamba products already in possession of growers or in trade channels but prohibits their use except where consistent with previously approved labeling. The order addresses the situation arising from the vacated registrations, allowing growers to utilize existing stocks for the 2024 growing season in compliance with environmental protection measures; however, proposed registration limits use to low-volatility dicamba applicants only for pre-emergent use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans.

EPA opened a 30-day comment period on a proposed registration from Bayer for the use of low-volatility dicamba on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. The comment period closes Monday, June 3, at 10:59 p.m.  The Iowa Soybean Association will join the American Soybean Association to request that EPA offer post-emergent access to low-volatility dicamba in any future registration. Farmers are also encouraged to submit comments on this proposal.

Individual growers should comment on their use, need, and experience with dicamba. If you are a grower and wish to comment, items you may want to consider include:

  • How you use dicamba on your farm, including weed control with dicamba or conservation practices (e.g., reduced tillage) that are supported by your access to dicamba.
  • Why post-emergent dicamba access is important to soybean production on your farm.
  • Ways in which you, your neighbors, and your community manage or reduce off-target risks.
  • Why it is important to have the certainty of access to dicamba for use on soybeans in 2025 and beyond, or the harms you may incur if it is not available next growing season.
  • How restrictions on a new registration prohibit sufficient weed control

Submit your comments at this link.

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