EPA announced Nov. 9 that it is registering a dicamba formulation, Xtendimax with Vapor Grip Technology, which is specifically designed to have lower volatility, to control weeds in cotton and soybean crops genetically engineered to tolerate dicamba. This announcement clears the way for farmers to utilize dicamba in the Roundup Ready Xtend crop system in 2017, pending state approvals.

This registration is for a formulation of dicamba that contains an additive that reduces volatility. This formulation is different from the products that are alleged to have been used illegally during this growing season. EPA continues to investigate these issues in several locations in the Midwest.

EPA announced that it is registering a dicamba formulation, Xtendimax with Vapor Grip Technology to control weeds in cotton and soybean crops genetically engineered to tolerate dicamba. (Photo: fotokostic/Thinkstock)

The label requires 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.

Monsanto projects over 15 million Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybean acres and over 3 million acres of Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton in 2017.

“We’re excited to enable another piece of the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System to farmers in 2017,” said Brett Begemann, Monsanto president and chief operating officer. “Based on the great demand we’ve seen in 2016, we know our farmers are looking forward to the benefits of the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System, including in-crop use of dicamba and glyphosate. Growers have been asking for this industry leading technology for years, and we’re excited to be able to provide it in 2017.”

This registration will provide an additional tool to reduce the spread of glyphosate resistant weeds. This final decision is designed to ensure that weed resistance is successfully managed, including reporting by the registrant to EPA of any suspected resistance, as well as remediation and grower education.

EPA is placing time limits on the registration to allow the agency to either let it expire or to easily make the necessary changes in the registration if there are problems with resistant weeds or pesticide drift.  Nevertheless, herbicide resistance is adequately addressed by the terms of the registration, and the agency does not expect off-site incidents to occur.

This dicamba formula for use on dicamba-tolerant soybean and cotton has been registered for sale and use in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

EPA proposed this decision on March 31, 2016. EPA’s final regulatory decision and supporting documents, including a response to public comments, are available in docket number https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0187.

Source: EPA, Monsanto