U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials have registered for sale a new low-volatility dicamba product to control weeds in soybean crops genetically engineered to tolerate dicamba.

The compound, Xtendimax with Vapor Grip Technology, manufactured by Monsanto, will help the effort to control glyphosate-resistant weeds. However, as of mid-November, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has not received Monsanto’s application for the product.

Once MDA receives an application, the agency’s registration process allows for a 30- day review. The time period allows MDA staff to look for any potential concerns an active ingredient may have on the human health or the environment.

ANOTHER WEED-CONTROL TOOL: When approved for Minnesota soybean farmers, a new weed-control product will be available for use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans.

When registered, the new label will require very specific and rigorous drift mitigation measures. Restrictions on the use of the product to further reduce the potential for exposure from spray drift include no application from aircraft, no application when wind speed is over 15 mph, application only with approved nozzles at specified pressures, and buffer zones to protect sensitive areas when the wind is blowing toward them.

EPA acknowledged that weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to glyphosate-based herbicides, and that this registration provides an additional tool to reduce the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds.

In spring 2016, Minnesota Soybean cautioned state soybean growers against planting dicamba-tolerant soybeans, because no dicamba herbicide product had been labeled yet for soybeans. Applying dicamba to dicamba-tolerant soybeans last growing season without EPA approval was illegal.

In addition to the lack of a dicamba herbicide label at the time, the European Union had not authorized import of the dicamba-tolerant soybeans to the market. Monsanto representatives have said the EU has verbally acknowledged authorization, yet written formal authorization had not been obtained last spring.

Sources: EPA, Minnesota Soybean