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DICAMBA 2021 Label Changes

THIS IS A SUMMARY NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR READING THE LABEL.
ALL PRODUCT LABELS MUST BE READ IN THEIR ENTIRETY PRIOR TO APPLICATION

In October 2017, the EPA announced they reached an agreement with the manufacturers of the "over-the-top" dicamba products. Due to continued off-target movement issues, EPA announced further restrictions for the 2019 and 2020 growing season. In June 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the registration for 3 “over-the-top” dicamba products. EPA subsequently issued a cancellation order for these 3 products. In October 2020, EPA registered 2 “over-the-top” dicamba products and extended the expiration date for an additional product currently registered. All 3 product labels were required to include specific label use language. The registration for these 3 products will expire December 31, 2025 unless additional action is taken by EPA.

General questions and answers to regulatory changes:

  1. What dicamba products does this label change effect?
    The restriction only applies to 3 products:
    • Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology, EPA Reg. #100-1623
    • Engenia Herbicide, EPA Reg. #7969-472
    • XtendiMax With VaporGrip Technology, EPA Reg. #264-1210

  2. Who can purchase and use Engenia, Tavium, and XtendiMax Herbicides ?
    Only certified pesticide applicators may purchase these products.

  3. Do mixers, loaders, handlers, and spray equipment cleaners need to be certified applicators?
    Yes, anyone who is responsible for any part of the use and application process, which includes mixing, loading, application, or cleaning dicamba application equipment, must become a certified and licensed private applicator or a commercial applicator. Workers are not required to be certified and licensed if they are involved in nothing more than transportation of unopened dicamba containers. The transportation of “hot loads” that were mixed by a certified and licensed applicator, or unloading a pre-mixed “hot load” directly from the transportation vehicle into a spray rig.

  4. How often is training required?
    Annually. This training is required on an annual calendar basis before the product is applied.

  5. Where can I find training information?
    Details will be posted by registrants on their respective web sites.
    *NM will accept auxin training from other states.

  6. How do I become a NM certified applicator?
    Call our office at 575-646-2134 or visit New Mexico's Pesticide Licensing

Information on Label Restrictions for Applications

Accepted labels will only include use directions for dicamba-tolerant cotton and dicamba-tolerant soybeans.

Cotton and Soybean: limits the number of over-the-top applications to 2. 

Time restriction:

  • Applications will be allowed only from 1 hour after sunrise to 2 hours before sunset.
  • Calendar cutoff dates for applications- Soybeans June 30th and Cotton July 30th.

Buffer zones and Wind

  • In counties where endangered species may exist, the downwind in-field buffer is 310 feet and a 57-foot omnidirectional in-field buffer.
  • In areas where no endangered species may exist, the downwind in-field buffer is 240 feet for all applications.
  • The labels allow for the optional use of approved hooded sprayers in soybeans to reduce the in-field buffer to 240 feet in areas with listed species and 110 feet in all other areas.
  • In areas with sensitive crops DO NOT apply when wind is blowing in the direction of these areas. If wind shifts toward these areas during application, the applicator must stop the application.
  • Only apply when wind speed, measured at boom height, between 3 and 10 mph.
  • DO NOT spray during an INVERSION.

Equipment

  • Check nozzles - Use only approved nozzles within specified pressure range.
  • DO NOT exceed 15 mph ground speed.
  • DO NOT exceed a boom height of 24 inches above target pest or crop canopy.
  • Clean out: each product label will have specific procedures to ensure proper
    cleaning of tank.

Tank Mixing

  • All applications are required to include an approved volatility reduction agent (VRA) / buffering agent (pH modifier). List of approve products will be listed on manufacturers websites.
  • All applications are required to include a drift reduction agent (DRA) unless otherwise indicated on manufacturers website.
  • Products may only be tank mixed with products that have been tested and found not to adversely affect the offsite movement of the product. The applicator must check the manufacturer website no more than 7 days before applying the product.

Recordkeeping

  • Records must be generated within 72 hours of application.
  • Records must be retained for 2 years.
  • Records must include:
    • Full name of the certified applicator
    • Certification number of the certified applicator
    • Product name
    • EPA registration number
    • Total amount applied of product
    • Application month, day, and year
    • Start and finish times
    • Location of the application
    • Crop or site receiving the application
    • Size of area treated
    • Training requirement
    • Application timing
    • Receipts of purchase
    • Product label
    • Sensitive areas, sensitive crops, and residential awareness
    • Spray buffer requirement
    • Spray system cleanout
    • Tank mix products
    • Required tank mix buffering adjuvant
    • Nozzle selection
    • Air temperature
    • Wind speed and direction

Resources

Tavium Website
Engenia Website
XtendiMax Website

Brad Lewis, AES Division Director
ddaes@nmda.nmsu.edu  
575-646-3207