Yes, dicamba is once again approved for over-the-top use in Xtend crops. When the new dicambas got pulled from the market last spring, there was a big question of whether or not they would be back again for 2021, but they are. Plus, the dicamba manufacturers believe they have all the evidence necessary to keep them labeled for at least the next 5 years. However, there are some label changes that have occurred.

Before we get to those label modifications, as far as we know right now nothing has changed or will change with Banvel, Clarity, dicamba generics, or most dicamba premixes (excluding Tavium). These products have had fairly consistent labels for years, and they were not affected by the dicamba rulings in 2020. None are labeled for use in Xtend or XtendFlex crops, though.

Recently, the EPA approved new 5-year labels for Engenia, Tavium (Dual plus dicamba), and Xtendimax. The label for Fexapan (same as Xtendimax) is expected shortly. Also, we are still waiting on some state labels, but those should come well before the spring spray season.

Soybean cupping due to off-target movement of dicamba.

IN TERMS OF CHANGES, HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW.

  • A downwind buffer to sensitive crops of 240’ is required and a buffer of 310’ is required where certain endangered species are located.

  • While I haven’t seen the details of this yet, it sounds like you can reduce the buffer when using a hooded sprayer.

  • Over-the-top application of dicamba in soybeans is prohibited nationwide after June 30. The cutoff date for cotton applications is July 30.

  • An approved pH buffering agent will be required to be mixed in the application to lower volatility. There will be new buffering agents registered with the EPA, and you must document the use of these buffering products just like you record each dicamba application.

  • States can expand over-the-top use to meet local needs by working with the EPA.

  • You cannot apply any of these products under conditions that favor runoff, such as if soil is fully saturated or when rainfall within 48 hours after application may exceed field capacity.

Yes, the label is pretty restrictive, and here’s one last thing I would encourage you to do in addition to what the label says. Only spray when the wind will be blowing away from neighboring sensitive crops for 48 hours straight. If the wind is constantly blowing away from the sensitive crop during the peak period we worry about for volatility, everything should be fine. Hopefully, you only have a few fields where there is a lot of risk with a crop next door, and those are the fields where you just have to really pick the right time to spray.

I know all this makes spraying more inconvenient, but it is important to reduce drift and volatility if we want to keep dicamba on the market. Within the next couple of years, we expect all the Xtend beans to switch over to XtendFlex, which will allow you to spray Liberty post-emerge. Since Liberty has no volatility risk and very little drift risk, it is a great alternative.

If you will be spraying dicamba in-crop this year, please spray with caution and follow the new labeled guidelines.