North Dakota Ag Connection - Dicamba Survey Still Open; Options Being Evaluated

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Dicamba Survey Still Open; Options Being Evaluated
North Dakota Ag Connection - 08/22/2017

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) has been gathering information on plant injury that may have been caused by use of the herbicide dicamba.

Growers and applicators who suspect dicamba injury are encouraged to complete a survey on NDDA's website to help quantify the number of potential reports and acres impacted.

"We've had a lot of responses on the dicamba survey," Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. "The 2017 spraying season has wrapped up, but the information we're gathering will help determine restrictions and protocols for the 2018 growing season."

Dicamba is a selective herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds and woody plants. It has many applications, including lawn care, crop production and range management. Historically, it has been used in pre-plant applications on soybeans. Recently, new low-volatile formulations have been approved for postemergence use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans.

"I've been in talks with Monsanto, BASF and DuPont and they are willing to send representatives out to look at fields that may have been affected," Goehring said. "Producers who would like to speak to a company representative should contact their local chemical dealers."

Goehring is considering changing application protocols for dicamba to protect non-target crops. Producers are encouraged to provide specific feedback on the survey. The survey may be found at www.nd.gov/ndda/dicamba-survey.

Information gathered from the survey will not be used for pesticide enforcement against applicators and no penalties will be issued based on the survey. Those wishing to file a formal pesticide complaint should contact NDDA at 701-328-2231.

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