News

Arkansas Plant Board recommends April 15 dicamba cutoff

Photo courtesy Purdue University

The Arkansas State Plant Board has voted unanimously to recommend a ban on spraying dicamba herbicide on cropland between April 16th and October 31st.

The proposed ban would prevent in-season use of dicamba on soybeans and cotton.

Proponents of the ban say it is necessary to avoid a repeat of dicamba drift-related crop damage reported by hundreds of Arkansas farmers in 2017. Opponents of the ban say it essentially defeats the purpose of the new dicamba herbicides, which were designed to be sprayed over the top of crops throughout the growing season.

Before voting Thursday, the board heard from representatives of Monsanto and DuPont, both of whom said the board was on a “rush to judgment” to implement restrictions. A Monsanto petition opposing the ban was unanimously rejected by the board.

The Plant Board will now take comments on the proposed rule for 30 days and hold a public hearing on November 8th.  After a regulation hearing in mid-December, the executive subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council will consider final approval of the rule.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!