Farmers will have access to several crop protection tools after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved registrations for three new active ingredients that can help manage weeds and diseases in a variety of crops.

The approvals are expected to expand pest management options beginning with the 2027 growing season.

The newly approved chemistries include herbicides and fungicides designed to provide additional modes of action for growers.

Farm groups, including Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), have long emphasized the need for new products as weeds and diseases continue to develop resistance to existing crop protection tools.

Among the new active ingredients are diflufenican (an herbicide for corn and soybeans), epyrifenacil (herbicide for corn, soybeans, wheat, canola, fallow ground) and fluoxapiprolin (fungicide for vegetables).

EPA completed scientific reviews before granting the registrations under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and determined the products can be used safely when label directions are followed.

“Texas Farm Bureau appreciates EPA’s approval of new tools that will help farmers continue producing a safe, abundant and affordable food supply,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Farmers rely on access to effective, science-based crop protection tools to manage pests, protect yields and care for the land. EPA’s rigorous review process ensures these products meet high safety standards, and timely approvals give farmers the certainty they need to plan and invest for the future.”

Crop protection products play an important role in helping farmers reduce losses from insects, weeds and plant diseases that can threaten yields and crop quality. New chemistries also provide additional options for resistance management by allowing growers to rotate products with different modes of action rather than relying on the same tools year after year.

“These new tools will help Texas farmers do more with less while continuing to strengthen sustainability and meet the growing demand for food, fiber and fuel,” Boening said.

The newly approved products will move through the commercial launch process before becoming widely available.