The Arkansas Plant Board is accepting comments about a proposed ban on application of all dicamba formulations from April 15-Oct. 31, 2018. Deadline to comment is Oct. 30.
The proposed ban stems from recommendations by the Arkansas Dicamba Task Force, which Gov. Asa Hutchison tasked with examining the issue of off-target movement of the herbicide. The Plant Board’s Pesticide Committee voted in favor of the 2018 ban, sending it to the Plant Board.
As written, the proposal would apply to all formulations of dicamba, including the three lower-volatility products that gained Environmental Protection Agency registrations this year. They are Engenia from BASF, XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology from Monsanto and FeXapan with VaporGrip Technology from DuPont.
The proposal would allow early season use of dicamba before April 15 before temperatures warm and most soybeans have germinated.
Based on previous Plant Board actions, only Engenia was permitted for in-season over-the-top applications to Xtend soybeans and XtendFlex cotton varieties this season in Arkansas. Both crops had been genetically engineered to withstand dicamba applications.
Even then, the state issued an emergency ban on Engenia applications July 11 after hundreds of complaints had been lodged about crop damage from alleged off-target dicamba movement.
The Plant Board plans to take up the matter at a public hearing, Nov. 8, where people will be allowed to make comments in person.
Mail comments to:
Attn: Susie Nichols or Brandi Reynolds
Arkansas State Plant Board
P.O. Box 1069
Little Rock, AR 72203
View the proposal from the Arkansas Dicamba Task Force by clicking here.