Iowa Issues Special Local Needs Label Requiring Dicamba-Specific Training
Farmers and applicators using the products must participate before using the product
DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has issued a Special Local Need registration for XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology Herbicide. The registration would require auxin-specific (dicamba) training for farmers and certified applicators using the product.
“This training requirement is specifically for farmers and applicators that will be using dicamba products and is separate and distinct from the pesticide applicator continuing instruction courses that are already in place for private, commercial, public, non-commercial applicators, and handlers,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. “This past growing season showed how important it is that applicators closely follow all aspects of the product label when using dicamba products and the additional training requirements will hopefully help reduce off-site impact from the product.”
The Department worked with Iowa State University to develop program topics and the Department will approve the training, which will be delivered through a registered provider. The Department is working with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa to provide a listing of approved training on the website http://DicambaTrainingIowa.org.
The expanded training requirement is based on the need to provide Iowa farmers and applicators with training around the risks associated with dicamba and should help reduce problems associated with off-target movement.
The following program topics will be included in approved auxin-specific (dicamba) training in Iowa:
- New Use Pattern for Dicamba-Tolerant Soybeans
- Application Requirements to include Wind Speed and Direction, and Use of a Buffer
- Temperature Inversions
- Changes in Record-Keeping Requirements
- Sprayer Tank Clean-Out
- Off Target Movement
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Pesticide Bureau is responsible for responding to complaints and investigating potential misuse of pesticides. In addition, education and testing on the safe use of pesticides is administered to all licensed pesticide applicators by the Department in conjunction with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
It is important all applicators read and follow the label directions on any pesticide when using. Product labels give applicators information about safe handling, application rates, personal protective equipment needed, appropriate crops to be treated, tank mixes, avoiding drift and more. It is a violation of state and federal law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with label directions.
If there is concern about a specific pesticide misuse incident, Iowans can file an “Incident Report” with the Department’s Pesticide Bureau by phoning 515‐281‐8591 or by emailing the information to pesticides@IowaAgriculture.gov. This report must be filed within 60 days after the alleged date that damages occurred.