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Soybean researcher says EPA final decision is a victory for farmers

A soybean researcher says the EPA’s Monday announcement about dicamba use is good news for growers.

Shawn Conley with the University of Wisconsin says, “This is actually a very big win for farmers right now.”

Conley tells Brownfield the worst thing that could have happened following the Ninth Circuit Court’s decision would have been immediate discontinuation of the product because weed control options are limited. “If you look at it, the only option for our growers in the southern part of the state would have really been Flexstar, and we’ve had some issues with that resistance coming on board. In northern Wisconsin, that isn’t actually even on the table.”

But Conley says EPA’s final application date of July 31st won’t apply for most Wisconsin and northern Illinois growers because dicamba applications are limited to 45 days after planting or up to R1 growth, or V4 for Syngenta’s Tavium. 

Wisconsin ag officials clarified their dicamba guidelines late Tuesday to be in line with the EPA’s latest order.  DATCP’s Leeann Duwy says farmers can use dicamba consistent with label instructions if they already have the product in their possession.  Distributors cannot sell dicamba products in Wisconsin effective immediately, and farmers cannot pickup unfulfilled deliveries, even if the product is already paid for.