The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in late December issued a “Special Local Needs” registration for the new dicamba herbicide products. The three dicamba products being marketed in Iowa for use in 2018 are XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology, Engenia and FeXapan. They first became available last year in Iowa, for use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans. The 2017 growing season ended with a number of cases where dicamba drift occurred during application, injuring nearby nontolerant soybean varieties.

Monsanto’s XtendiMax was the most widely applied of the three new dicamba products last year in Iowa. The new registration requires auxin-specific (dicamba) training for farmers and certified applicators that will use the product.

Training separate from rest
“This training requirement is specifically for farmers and applicators who will be using dicamba products and is separate and distinct from the pesticide applicator continuing instruction courses, which are already in place for private, commercial, public, noncommercial applicators and handlers,” says Mike Naig, Iowa deputy secretary of agriculture. “The 2017 growing season showed how important it is for applicators to closely follow all aspects of the product label when using dicamba products. These additional training requirements will hopefully help reduce off-site impact from the product and the potential for it to drift.”

Check online to find a session near you
The state ag department has worked with Iowa State University to develop program topics at the training sessions this winter. Also, IDALS will approve the training, which will be delivered through a registered provider. IDALS is working with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa to provide a listing of approved training sessions. The dates and locations will soon be on the website dicambatrainingiowa.org.

The expanded training requirement is based on the need to provide Iowa farmers and applicators with training regarding the risks associated with dicamba. “This training should help reduce problems associated with off-target movement,” Naig says.

What will applicators learn at training sessions?
The following program topics will be included in the approved auxin-specific (dicamba) training meetings in Iowa:
• new use pattern for dicamba-tolerant soybeans
• application requirements to include wind speed and direction, and use of a buffer
• temperature inversions
• changes in record-keeping requirements
• sprayer tank cleanout
• off-target movement

The IDALS Pesticide Bureau is responsible for responding to complaints about herbicide drift, and investigating potential misuse of pesticides. In addition, education and testing on the safe use of pesticides is administered to all licensed pesticide applicators by the state ag department in conjunction with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Follow label directions
“It’s important for all applicators to read and follow the label directions on any pesticide when using,” Naig says. Product labels give applicators information about safe handling, application rates, personal protective equipment needed, appropriate crops to be treated, tank mixes, avoiding drift and more. It is a violation of state and federal law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with label directions.

If there is concern about a specific pesticide misuse incident, Iowans can file an incident report with the IDALS Pesticide Bureau by calling 515-281-8591 or emailing the information to [email protected]. This report must be filed within 60 days after the alleged date that damages occurred.

More information about activities of the state ag department’s Pesticide Bureau can be found at iowaagriculture.gov/pesticides.asp.