News

Minnesota dicamba restrictions should lead to fewer complaints

An extension weed scientist who helped the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) develop state-specific restrictions for dicamba says he expects fewer drift complaints in 2018.

Jeff Gunsolus tells Brownfield he and others from the University of Minnesota collaborated with MDA and the Minnesota Soybean Dicamba Task Force to determine a date and temperature cutoff for the state.

“This approach is a way to reduce the probability.  I would never say that this will eliminate that issue.  There’s other factors in play too (including) a lot more awareness of just how sensitive non-traited soybeans are to dicamba.”

In addition to following the EPA Restricted Use Pesticide label for 2018, dicamba applications in Minnesota will be prohibited after June 20^th and when temperatures exceed 85 degrees.

Gunsolus says under the new restrictions, dicamba should still be very effective against early emerging weeds like lambsquarters and giant ragweed.

“I do think this technology won’t be the perfect fit for (later-emerging weed control) like water hemp.  So it really is a part of a learning curve, and I do expect it to have fewer complaints next year.”

Minnesota Extension will be educating farmers and applicators on dicamba throughout the winter.

Gunsolus says they’ll be covering label requirements as well as overall weed management.