By Shala Watson
TFB Public Relations Intern
The Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) move quickly on the registration of dicamba on herbicide-tolerant cotton and soybeans.
Earlier this month, the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization sent a letter to the EPA expressing its strong support for the registration of the dicamba formulations developed by Monsanto for use on cotton and soybeans.
“The ability to use dicamba on dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans will add another mode of action to the agricultural toolbox to control broadleaf weeds that have developed resistance to other available herbicides,” Brant Wilbourn, TFB associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities, wrote. “Herbicide-resistant weeds are becoming an increasing problem for farmers in Texas, which leads to increased costs and reduced yields.”
The EPA is currently accepting comments regarding the in-crop use of dicamba herbicide with Bollgard® II XtendFlex cotton and Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans.
“Dicamba has a long history of safe and effective use in over 25 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, including uses on corn, wheat, pastures and lawns,” Wilbourn wrote.
Delta Farm Press spoke with Kim Magin, Monsanto’s director of Industry Affairs, to get an update on where the EPA registration process stands.
“We have our fingers crossed that the approval will come as quickly as possible so growers, without further delay, will be able to use this new tool in soybean and cotton production in 2017,” Magin said.
Monsanto has created a web tool to help farmers submit comments.
The 30-day public comment period ends April 30.