EPA Extends Dicamba Comment Period

On July 23, the U.S. EPA published several documents related to its Proposed Registration Decision for low-volatility dicamba herbicides for use over-the-top of dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. We applaud the EPA for this timely publication, which is consistent with the EPA’s Herbicide Strategy and is crucial to help to meet the weed control needs of U.S. farmers.

As the next step in the EPA registration process for these dicamba herbicides, the EPA has elected to solicit public comments on its proposed risk assessment for product registration. The comment period has been extended until September 6th.

After the public comment period closes, the EPA will review the comments received before issuing a final registration decision for dicamba. We are hopeful that growers will have access to this important tool in time for the 2026 season.

We encourage growers, applicators, distributors, retailers, and others with experience and knowledge about these dicamba herbicides to submit a comment regarding the EPA’s proposed dicamba use requirements that applicators and growers must follow for applications of these products, if registered.

We believe the EPA will benefit from hearing from those closest to the technology. This will help to ensure any decisions regarding the registration of these dicamba herbicides are fully informed by those who rely on this important tool. Even a simple comment explaining the important role dicamba plays on a particular farm can be impactful and useful for the EPA.

EPA has proposed several label requirements in its proposed registration decision, Bayer and the other registrants will work with EPA to incorporate into final product labels once finalized.

Based on what appears in the current documents, Bayer’s interpretation of the proposed label mitigations include:

• No federal label cut-off dates for applications in dicamba tolerant crops (though certain crops/products may have growth stage restrictions)
• Volatility mitigations based on temperature, including:
  • Applications forecasted below 75 degrees will require 20 oz of a VaporGrip^® Xtra Agent (or an equivalent rate of another qualified VRA)
  • Applications forecasted between 75-85 degrees will require 40 oz of a VaporGrip^® Xtra Agent (or an equivalent rate of another qualified VRA)
  • Applications forecasted between 85-95 degrees will require 40 oz of a VaporGrip^® Xtra Agent (or an equivalent rate of another qualified VRA) AND spraying restrictions (potential reduction/limitations for total treated area or solo application of product with VRA and DRA and NO other tank mix partners)
  • No applications will be permitted for temperatures forecasted above 95 degrees
  • Applications will be limited based upon maximum temperature forecasted over 48 hours – day of application and day after
• We anticipate that there will be Endangered Species Act runoff mitigation requirements (previously published in 2024 and utilized in recently approved new herbicides) that will be based on points, depending on farming operations – visit the Herbicide Mitigation website to learn more.
• Product application rates will remain at 0.5 lb dicamba ae per acre, with a maximum of two applications per year, on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton.
• We expect each product will have a corresponding website for qualified VRAs and potentially other information.
• A single downwind drift buffer of 240 feet is required, though this buffer may be reduced by certain mitigations under the herbicide strategy. DO NOT APPLY if sensitive crops and/or certain plants are planted on an adjacent downwind field or area.
• Of course, it’s crucial to remember that the proposed label requirements are NOT FINAL at this point. EPA will review the comments received and may make changes accordingly. Growers MUST consult the final stamped product label for application requirements, if registered.
• For more details, please visit the EPA’s memorandum for proposed decision for use of dicamba in DT crops.

Elements you might consider in providing comments to the EPA:

• Comments on the importance of EPA’s timely final registration decision, especially considering timelines for 2026 farm input planning for growers.
• Comments on the importance of OTT dicamba technology to your farming operation, including impacts of lack of access to the technology.
• Comments on your experience with OTT dicamba products in past growing seasons.
• Comments on how weed pressure impacts yield, profitability, and herbicide resistance management of the crops in your farming operation, and how these products might help to address those impacts.
• Comments on the impact of applying these OTT dicamba products with the EPA’s proposed mitigations to control and manage weeds effectively, and how you might implement the proposed label requirements in your farming operation (examples: weather forecasting, runoff mitigations, etc.)

We know how important this technology is for so many growers, and we will continue working diligently to help ensure that these low-volatility dicamba herbicides remain available for over-the-top use in 2026 and beyond.

Thank you for your support in helping finalize the US EPA registration and including your voice in the process.