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UPDATE: Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, Iowa farmers can still use dicamba, for now
Some states are telling soybean farmers it’s okay to keep using their dicamba for now.
Leeann Duwe is with the Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection. She tells Brownfield, “DATCP is waiting for the Environmental Protection Agency to take action to revoke the registration for these products, so until that action is taken, we will not change the state registration for these products and farmers can continue to use them.”
Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also announced Friday it will wait for EPA guidance. In a statement, MDARD says, “The court’s opinion does not change the state registration status of Engenia, FeXapan, and Xtendimax. Until further notice, the distribution and use of Engenia, FeXapan, and Xtendimax in Michigan may continue.” It also says the registration of Tavium (EPA Reg. No. 10-1623) is not impacted by the court’s opinion.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture is also allowing dicamba use. They issued a statement saying the agency, “does not anticipate taking enforcement action against those who otherwise appropriately purchase, sell or use these products in the interim.”
Brownfield reports that as of Friday, Missouri ag officials are also allowing dicamba use and will not take enforcement action against farmers for using it.
In Minnesota and Illinois, the state’s Agriculture Departments did not comment on the court’s ruling by late Friday afternoon, and the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association is instructing Illinois farmers and retailers to immediately stop the use, sale, and distribution of three dicamba products.
Farmers are encouraged to check with their individual state ag departments to see how they are handling the Ninth Circuit Court decision before considering a dicamba application.
NOTE: This story will be updated as more states decide how to handle the court ruling.
