E-book. Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

Transcription

1 E-book Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

2 Table of contents Introduction... 3 Signs of dicamba-related injury... 4 Dicamba injury investigations... 5 Estimated injured soybean acreage... 6 Four causes of dicamba-related injury... 7 IFCA ag retail dicamba survey New label & application rules Insurance Dicamba best management practices Resources A special thank you We would like to thank the following partners for their contributions to this e-book: Dr. Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Jean Payne, Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association Jay Magnussen, agronomist & Iowa farmer

3 Introduction Today s ag headlines too often reflect the troubles that result from off-target dicamba applications: damaged crops, destroyed livelihoods, government agency inquires, and sadly, even violence. Soybeans, cotton, tobacco, alfalfa, numerous produce crops, and trees are particularly sensitive to dicamba. Research has shown that the lowest observable dose can cause significant visual response in soybeans. Even low-volatility formulations are not immune to trouble. 3 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

4 Signs of dicamba-related injury Damage related to off-target movement of dicamba is on the rise, especially in vulnerable soybean crops. There are a few tell-tale signs of injury. Symptoms of dicamba injury: Delayed damage; appears 7-21 days after application Crinkled/puckered leaves, twisted steams, or curled-under pods Stunted new growth; plant falls behind as the season progresses Damage patterns that distinguish it from viruses and pests 4 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

5 Dicamba injury investigations Below are the number of official dicamba-related injury investigations reported by U.S. state departments of agriculture, as of October 15, , Dr. Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri 5 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

6 Estimated injured soybean acreage Below are the estimated number of acres of dicamba-injured soybeans, according to state extension weed scientists as of October 15, K 250K 265K <1K <1K 3.6 million 50K 150K 600K 55K 15K <1K 100K 2.5K 325K 900K 33K 400K <1K 1K 3K <1K 250K <1K <1K 10K Dr. Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri 6 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

7 causes of dicambarelated injury

8 Physical drift Physical drift usually can be distinguished as clear patterns of injury that are more severe closest to the spray source. Common causes of physical drift: Wind Improper nozzles Booms set too high Dust 8 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

9 Tank contamination It takes very small amounts of dicamba left in a non-commercial sprayer to cause problems for the next field. Thus, cleaning of tanks is critical to avoiding contamination. Based on research by Dr. Kevin Bradley at the University of Missouri If you sprayed a dicambaresistant soybean field at a standard rate, leaving just 8 fluid ounces of solution in a 1,200-gallon tank would result in significant injury to a subsequent non-resistant soybean field. 9 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

10 Temperature inversions Inherently volatile herbicides escaping into a temperature inversion can increase the risk of drift. To minimize your chances of applying dicamba in a temperature inversion, avoid spraying during clear conditions particularly evenings or nights with little to no wind. As the ground cools and air stops rising, air masses can become stable, hanging just above the ground. Spray droplets cannot fall to the ground and are instead suspended until the inversion ends and wind arrives to move them possibly off target. 10 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

11 Volatility With some fields, there is consistent injury across the entire acreage. This is not typical of physical drift, but indicates volatility as the probable cause. Research from multiple universities has shown that dicamba can be detected in the air up to several days after an application. Further, greenhouse-raised soybean plants that were suspended above the canopy for three days starting just 30 minutes after the application ultimately showed symptoms of dicamba injury. Additional hoop trial studies have shown similar damage to plants that were not sprayed, but were in the presence of dicamba. 11 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

12 IFCA ag retail dicamba survey

13 IFCA ag retail dicamba survey results The following select 2017 member survey results are shared courtesy of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association. They provide added insight into what producers are experiencing in the field. If you applied dicamba to soybeans, did you experience any instances of symptoms in adjacent sensitive soybean fields? 13 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

14 IFCA ag retail dicamba survey results Did you see symptoms in adjacent fields of non-dicamba tolerant soybeans, even when the wind was not blowing toward that field during the time of application? 14 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

15 IFCA ag retail dicamba survey results If you saw symptoms in non-dicamba tolerant soybeans, please rank the factors you believe were the primary cause of symptoms based on your experience as an applicator. 15 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

16 IFCA ag retail dicamba survey results Do you believe that the application of non-labeled dicamba formulations to soybeans was a major contributor in Illinois of injury to non-dicamba tolerant soybeans? 16 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

17 IFCA ag retail dicamba survey results Did your company take any voluntary actions beyond the label restrictions to manage the circumstances under which you would apply dicamba? 17 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

18 IFCA ag retail dicamba survey results Rate the level of concern you have regarding the future use of these products as the percentage of acres of non-dicamba tolerant soybeans increases, regarding their potential impact on sensitive crops other than soybeans (i.e. orchards, vegetable crops, gardens, trees, etc.) 18 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

19 New label & application rules

20 New label & application rules XtendiMax, Engenia, and FeXapan are now restricted use products; only certified applicators can purchase/ apply them. Prior to applying these products in 2018, applicators must complete dicamba or auxin-specific training. Two of the labels specify further training to be required annually. Record keeping is required for applications. Updated labels contain the list of records that must be completed within 14 days of each application and retained for two years. 20 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

21 New label & application rules Limited to 10 mph maximum wind speed (reduced from 15 miles per hour). Wind speed and direction are to be recorded at boom height. Many states limit applications to between sunrise and sunset. Must record spray system clean-out procedures, as per label guidelines. Enhanced language pertaining to susceptible crops. For example: DO NOT APPLY this product when the wind is blowing toward adjacent nondicamba tolerant susceptible crops; this includes NON-DICAMBA TOLERANT SOYBEANS AND COTTON. 21 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

22 Insurance

23 Insurance What s covered? What s not? If you make a mistake, it s covered: Drift to another s field(s) Tank contamination Wrong field And if you apply correctly, damage may not be covered: Volatility Most complaints are from drift or volatility 23 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

24 Dicamba best management practices

25 Dicamba best management practices * If you plan to have your Xtend soybeans treated, plant them (on all sides): Adjacent to other Xtend soybeans Adjacent to corn Adjacent to non-sensitive areas Communicate with your neighbors and know what they are planting. Plant Xtend soybeans at least one-half mile from high value, sensitive specialty crops and one-quarter mile from sensitive soybeans (Liberty, RR, Enlist, non-gmo), if possible. * Label changes are possible, and some states are requiring additional procedures that go beyond federal labels. 25 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

26 Dicamba best management practices * Discuss your anticipated planting date and location with your applicator, and identify on a map the locations of nearby sensitive soybean fields or specialty crops. Consult Driftwatch.org to identify nearby specialty crops. Start with a clean system. It takes only 1/20,000 of a labeled rate of dicamba to cause symptoms in sensitive soybeans. This is equivalent to fluid ounces of XtendiMax per acre, or 6.4 ounces of dicamba spray solution left in a 1,000-gallon sprayer. No trace of AMS or nitrogen-containing products should be present in your application system when you are applying dicamba products to soybeans. * Label changes are possible, and some states are requiring additional procedures that go beyond federal labels. 26 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

27 Dicamba best management practices * If sensitive soybeans are adjacent to Xtend soybeans, early application of dicamba on soybeans is optimal (21-30 days after planting). The application should contain an approved residual herbicide in the tank mix. Requests for later application or rescue applications when sensitive soybeans are adjacent may not be honored by the applicator. Use a minimum of 15 gallons/water per acre or more, and a maximum sprayer speed of 12 mph. Consult the label/ label websites for the correct nozzle and pressure combination. Pressure must be measured at the boom/nozzle. Use a drift reduction agent (no AMS) when required by the label. * Label changes are possible, and some states are requiring additional procedures that go beyond federal labels. 27 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

28 Dicamba best management practices * Boom height should not exceed 24 inches above the crop canopy. Do not use sprayers (such as pull type) that do not have a boom height adjustment. If sensitive soybeans have emerged adjacent to a corn field that you are planning to treat with dicamba, follow the nozzle, pressure, boom height, and wind speed limitations outlined to mitigate off target movement. Keep a precise record of applications as required by the label, including on dicamba applications made to corn. Document the condition of the crop and nearby crops before applying. Note: state regulations may exceed federal regulations. * Label changes are possible, and some states are requiring additional procedures that go beyond federal labels. 28 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

29 Resources

30 Resources BASF Monsanto DuPont/Dow Agproducts.basf.us/campaigns/ engenia/tankmixselector/ Roundupreadyxtend.com/news XtendiMax label highlights FeXapan.dupont.com Best practices and stewardship guidelines Comprehensive list of all products approved for tank mixing with Engenia Otaa.basf.us Website for Engenia On-Target Application Academy Monsanto.com/dicamba Detailed on instructions for successful applications html Up-to-date tank-mix partners for FeXapan herbicide 30 Dicamba: Where do we go from here?

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