Scrutiny on Pesticide Application Increases
As the busy spray season continues, please be aware that scrutiny of pesticide applications is at a high level this year. Examples of this include the Champaign, IL based Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting encouraging the installation of air sampling monitors to capture glyphosate, 2,4-D and dicamba in the air near schools and subdivisions. At least four of these monitors have been installed in Champaign and Vermilion Counties according to the Center. To read the story, click here.
As of today, the IL Dept of Ag has received 24 formal pesticide misuse complaints; 9 attributed to private applicators, 11 to commercial applicators, two regarding homeowner applications and two yet to be determined. These are complaints which IDA will investigate. So far, there are no complaints specific to dicamba use.
Regarding dicamba use, please review again the stewardship recommendations posted on our website at www.ifca.com under "Dicamba Stewardship." We also continue to keep the Illinois Dicamba Training Website live, and it features links to the on-line dicamba training modules as well as labels and resources on understanding inversions, keeping weather records, etc. If you have questions about pesticide stewardship or the IL Pesticide Act, please contact IFCA.