IL Dept of Ag Approves Dicamba Labels; IL-Specific Restrictions on the Horizon
Today, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) adopted the federal labels for Xtendimax, Engenia and Tavium for use on soybeans in Illinois. If and when USEPA approves the FeXapan label, we are confident it will also receive approval for use in Illinois.
In addition to clearing the way for the use of these herbicides on soybean in 2021, the label approvals also mean that Xtendimax and Engenia remaining in inventory, but whose labels were cancelled by USEPA on July 31, 2020, can now be sold and distributed. When the FeXapan label is approved the same will be true. Tavium had no restriction on distribution because its product label was never cancelled.
IDOA has been evaluating methods to include additional state restrictions on the label, similar to the label restrictions IDOA enacted in 2019 and 2020. The USEPA will no longer allow the use of Special Local Needs labels adopted by the states (called 24c labels); therefore, IDOA will have to embark upon a state rulemaking process in order to enact additional restrictions on use of these products. IDOA has indicated that they intend to enact a June 20 cutoff date and prohibit application on days when the forecasted high temperature is 85 degrees or more.
IDA issued a press release today announcing approval of the labels and touched on the forthcoming rulemaking process. IFCA will remain in communication with IDA on the rulemaking and we will keep you posted.
Dicamba Training: Now that the labels are approved, we hope that on-line dicamba training for applicators, which is again required on the labels, can commence soon. As soon as training becomes available, IFCA will post details on our
Illinois Dicamba Training website. You can also find the labels and other helpful resources at that link.
One last item to make you aware of is that environmental groups have again filed a lawsuit in the 9th Circuit Federal Court in California, challenging USEPA's approval of the new dicamba labels. For more details on the lawsuit, click here.