On Monday, May 3rd, the Arkansas State Plant Board held a public hearing on its proposed rule for dicamba use during the 2021 crop year. Following its review of public comments in both written and oral form, the Plant Board voted to adopt an emergency rule to institute new use regulations for dicamba that would set the stage for state rules in 2021 and potentially beyond. The new rule adopted with a 9-5 vote would allow for in-crop use of newer, less volatile formulations of dicamba in accordance to their federal label, with certain additional requirements, up to June 30th. The additional requirements include a prohibition of tank mixes that include glyphosate, and new buffers to protect sensitive crops that mandate a 1 mile buffer to University research locations, 1/2 mile to organic and specialty crops, and 1/4 mile to non-DT sensitive crops.
Any burndown applications of dicamba after April 16th must be made with newer formulations, and specific recordkeeping of appications is also required. A federal label permit is available for acres within the Mississippi River levee where crops may be delayed due to high waters. Penalties for egregious violations related to auxin herbicides remain in place, and such violators may be subject to fines of $1,000 up to $25,000.
The emergency rule was considered and approved by the Arkansas General Assembly's Legislative Council on May 6th, and the rule is scheduled to take effect Saturday, May 8th.
Press release from Arkansas Department of Agriculture issued a press release that can be found below.
More below:
https://www.farmprogress.com/weeds/arkansas-dicamba-cutoff-pushed-back-buffer-zones-reduced
2021 Emergency Rule for Dicamba Use
New Rules for Dicamba Use Effective May 8
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/26/2021
Contact: Amy Lyman, (501) 410-4616
amy.lyman@agriculture.arkansas.gov
LITTLE ROCK, AR –The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s State Plant Board voted at a public hearing and special board meeting on May 3 to approve regulatory changes for application of dicamba herbicides on dicamba-tolerant crops in Arkansas.
Changes regarding dicamba use in the emergency rule include:
- Use of over-the-top spraying of Engenia, Xtendimax, and Tavium through June 30 on soybeans and cotton;
- Setting a half-mile buffer for certified organic crops and commercially grown specialty crops;
- Setting a quarter-mile buffer in all directions for soybeans and cotton varieties not tolerant of dicamba.
The entire “ARKANSAS PESTICIDE USE AND APPLICATION ACT AND RULES” can be viewed here, and the approved changes regarding dicamba are available here.
The Board’s regulatory changes concerning the use of dicamba were subject to a 30-day public comment period. The Board received 580 public written comments. Thirty-one individuals registered to provide testimony at the public hearing.
The rule change was adopted by the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Executive Subcommittee on May 6. The new rule was filed with the Secretary of State’s office and will become effective on May 8.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.