(Photo provided by BASF)

For more information, see the "According to ASTA" column on p. 30 in the Fourth Quarter 2020 edition of Seed Today.

Brooklet, GA (October 27, 2020) — At the Cromley Farm, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced that EPA is approving new five-year registrations for two dicamba products and extending the registration of an additional dicamba product. All three registrations include new control measures to ensure these products can be used effectively while protecting the environment, including non-target plants, animals, and other crops not tolerant to dicamba.

“With today’s decision, farmers now have the certainty they need to make plans for their 2021 growing season,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “After reviewing substantial amounts of new information, conducting scientific assessments based on the best available science, and carefully considering input from stakeholders we have reached a resolution that is good for our farmers and our environment.”

Through today’s action, EPA approved new registrations for two “over-the-top” (OTT) dicamba products — XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology and Engenia Herbicide — and extended the registration for an additional OTT dicamba product, Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology. These registrations are only for use on dicamba-tolerant (DT) cotton and soybeans and will expire in 2025, providing certainty to American agriculture for the upcoming growing season and beyond.

To manage off-site movement of dicamba, EPA’s 2020 registration features important control measures, including:

  • Requiring an approved pH-buffering agent (also called a Volatility Reduction Agent or VRA) be tank mixed with OTT dicamba products prior to all applications to control volatility.
  • Requiring a downwind buffer of 240 feet and 310 feet in areas where listed species are located.
  • Prohibiting OTT application of dicamba on soybeans after June 30 and cotton after July 30.
  • Simplifying the label and use directions so that growers can more easily determine when and how to properly apply dicamba.

The 2020 registration labels also provide new flexibilities for growers and states. For example, there are opportunities for growers to reduce the downwind spray buffer for soybeans through use of certain approved hooded sprayers as an alternative control method. EPA also recognizes and supports the important authority FIFRA section 24 gives the states for issuing locally appropriate regulations for pesticide use. If a state wishes to expand the federal OTT uses of dicamba to better meet special local needs, the agency will work with them to support their goals.

This action was informed by input from state regulators, grower groups, academic researchers, pesticide manufacturers, and others. EPA reviewed substantial amounts of new information and conducted assessments based on the best available science, including making Effect Determinations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With this information and input, EPA has concluded that these registration actions meet Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) registration standards. EPA believes that these new analyses address the concerns expressed in regard to EPA’s 2018 dicamba registrations in the June 2020 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Further, EPA concluded that with the control measures now required on labels, these actions either do not affect or are not likely to adversely affect endangered or threatened species.

To view the final registration of the dicamba products, visit docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0492 at www.regulations.gov.

Background

The United States is the world’s leading soybean producer and second-leading soybean exporter and also serves as the world’s third-largest cotton producer and the leading cotton exporter. Today, there are limited cost-effective options to control herbicide-resistant weeds affecting these commodities. In 2018, approximately 41 percent of U.S. soybean acreage was planted with dicamba-tolerant (DT) seed and almost 70 percent of U.S. cotton acreage was planted with DT seed in 2019. Relative to alternative herbicide programs, postemergence dicamba may reduce weed control costs for some growers, possibly by as much as $10 per acre, or over five percent of net operating revenue, not accounting for all measures growers will have to take to control off-field movement of dicamba.

Following reports of damage resulting from the off-site movement of dicamba, EPA amended the dicamba registration labels in 2017 and in 2018. In June 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated the registrations for three dicamba products: XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology, Engenia Herbicide, and DuPont FeXapan Herbicide. As a result of the Court’s decision, EPA issued cancellation orders outlining limited circumstances under which existing stocks of the three affected products could be distributed and used until July 31, 2020.

The U.S. EPA announces new 5-year registration for XtendiMax® herbicide, Bayer’s low-volatility dicamba product

The new registration follows launch announcement for XtendFlex® soybeans and enables full potential of industry-leading Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System

St. Louis, MO (October 27, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new 5-year registration for XtendiMax® herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology, an important weed-control tool for many U.S. growers.

The EPA states, “With today’s decision, farmers now have the certainty they need to make plans for their 2021 growing season. After reviewing substantial amounts of new information, conducting scientific assessments based on the best available science, and carefully considering input from stakeholders we have reached a resolution that is good for our farmers and our environment.”

“We welcome the EPA’s science-based review and registration decision providing growers access to this important tool,” said Lisa Safarian, President of Bayer Crop Science North America. “Growers need options, and we are proud of our role in bringing innovations like XtendiMax herbicide forward to help growers safely and successfully protect their crops from tough-to-control weeds.”

The new EPA-approved product label for XtendiMax herbicide includes some changes to further ensure growers can use the product successfully. The EPA stated “To manage off-site movement of dicamba, EPA’s 2020 registration features important control measures, including:

  • Requiring an approved [volatility reduction] buffering agent (also called a Volatility Reduction Agent or VRA) be tank mixed with OTT dicamba products prior to all applications to control volatility.
  • Requiring a downwind buffer of 240 feet and 310 feet in areas where listed species are located.
  • Prohibiting OTT application of dicamba on soybeans after June 30 and cotton after July 30.
  • Simplifying the label and use directions so that growers can more easily determine when and how to properly apply dicamba.”

“Growers have been clear how vitally important this tool is for their weed-management programs,” said Alex Zenteno, Bayer dicamba product manager. “The EPA’s strong science-based decision and new measures, including the introduction of VaporGrip® Xtra Agent, will help growers use the product even more successfully. We look forward to working with growers to ensure they are aware of the new XtendiMax herbicide label and prepared for the upcoming season. We take our stewardship responsibility very seriously, and we will continue to enhance our trainings, resources, and other support heading into 2021.”

The new EPA registration for XtendiMax herbicide follows Bayer’s recent launch announcement for XtendFlex® soybeans, which brings additional yield potential and weed-control flexibility to the Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System.

“Now that growers have certainty about the registration of XtendiMax herbicide and availability of XtendFlex soybeans, we are excited for our customers to have an outstanding 2021 season and beyond,” said Safarian. “We are committed to the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System, which will continue to evolve and play an important role in Bayer’s crop protection and seed portfolio going forward.”

For more information, visit www.RoundupReadyXtend.com.

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2019, the Group employed around 104,000 people and had sales of 43.5 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.9 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

For more on this story, see "U.S. approves use of Bayer weed killer for five years."

BASF’s Engenia herbicide receives EPA registration

Farmers gain continued access to dicamba technology in the battle against weed resistance

Research Triangle Park, NC (October 27, 2020) – BASF announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved its registration of Engenia® herbicide for over the top application in dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. The registration has an announced term of five years and includes new label enhancements to further reduce the potential for off-target movement. The new registration makes this critical tool available to farmers as they battle weed populations grown increasingly resistant to other herbicides.

“The need for Engenia herbicide is greater than ever before due to increased weed resistance. When the weeds win, farmers see the impact to their livelihoods, harvests and yields,” said Scott Kay, Vice President of U.S. Crop, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Controlling resistant weeds is not only a physical challenge for farmers, it also can have a significant financial impact. It is estimated that certain resistant weed populations can reduce yields by 50 percent or more. This means that farmers planting dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans could potentially stand to lose more than $10 billion if they lost access to dicamba-based herbicides, like Engenia herbicide.”

Based on BASF’s proprietary BAPMA technology, Engenia herbicide offers the most advanced dicamba formulation on the market. It has the lowest use rate available for dicamba-tolerant crops and offers the lowest volatility dicamba salt. Engenia herbicide controls more than 200 broadleaf weeds, including glyphosate-resistant weeds, and provides an additional, effective site of action.

Farmers continue to note their satisfaction with Engenia herbicide weed control performance. In a 2019 Kynetec and Stratus survey of soybean growers who used Engenia herbicide, nearly 4 out of 5 were highly satisfied with the product.

Label Enhancements

The new Engenia herbicide registration includes updated label enhancements to further reduce the potential for off-target applications. The new label adds the following requirements:

  • An approved pH buffering adjuvant to be tank-mixed with every Engenia application, eliminating any need to measure the spray mixture’s pH.
  • A down-wind application buffer of 240 feet in counties without Endangered Species Act (ESA) restrictions. The downwind buffer distance in counties with ESA restrictions is 310 feet.
  • The new label includes calendar-based cut-off dates instead of growth-stage based application deadlines, simplifying its directions for use. The new cut-off dates are June 30 for soybeans and July 30 for cotton. Additional label updates can be viewed here.

Training

BASF continues to work with the EPA and state agencies to create state-specific training materials. The company will offer a robust training initiative for the 2021 season to ensure farmers and applicators are trained on the new Engenia herbicide label requirements.

“Knowing the proper application techniques and understanding the product label requirements is critical to maximizing Engenia herbicide on-target applications,” said Rick Chamblee, Director, Technical Service, U.S. Crop, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “We have trained more than 68,000 applicators since 2018 and will continue to invest in stewardship training to ensure farmers and applicators are prepared to make proper applications during the next growing season.”

Sentris and Engenia Prime

BASF will continue its long-term commitment to dicamba technology and rich legacy of innovation by providing farmers with even more solutions for controlling resistant weeds and producing on-target applications. The company plans to launch Sentris™ buffering technology and Engenia® Prime herbicide. Sentris, which will launch in time for use in the 2021 growing season, is a liquid buffering agent that when added to a dicamba spray solution, will increase and stabilize the solution pH and reduce the potential for volatility. It has also been proven to reduce the potential for tank-contamination by helping with spray system clean-out and hygiene. It will be another tool for farmers to use with their Engenia herbicide application mixes to help minimize the potential for off-target applications.

Engenia Prime will offer multiple sites of action and is most effective pre-emergent, to help farmers manage weed challenges while providing application timing flexibility. Engenia Prime is not yet registered for purchase or use and is awaiting EPA approval.

To learn more about Engenia herbicide, the new label and stewardship practices, visit www.Engenia-updates.com

Engenia Herbicide is a U.S. EPA Restricted Use Pesticide. Engenia Prime is not yet registered for purchase or use. This is not an offer for sale. Always read and follow label directions. Engenia is a registered trademark of BASF. Sentris is a trademark of BASF.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division: With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2019, our division generated sales of €7.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

About BASF: BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 18,800 employees in North America and had sales of $18.4 billion in 2019. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 117,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.

EPA Announces Five Year Dicamba Registration

(October 27, 2020) - On Tuesday, October 27, 2020 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new, five year approval for three dicamba products, including Xtendimax® Herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology, for over-the-top use.

Logan Vaughn, LG Seeds Product and Agronomy Manager, states, "The registration of dicamba products puts LG Seeds STAR Partner dealers and the farmers they serve in an excellent soybean position for 2021 and beyond. Combined with the recent approval of XtendFlex® Soybeans and the outstanding soybean lineup available from LG Seeds, farmers have the options they need for increased soybean yields and outstanding weed control."

EPA states that the decision was made after reviewing substantial amounts of new information and scientific assessments. In an effort to manage off-site movement of dicamba, the EPA's new registration includes control measures such as:

  • The required use and document of available pH buffering agents to lower the volatility of dicamba tank mixes
  • A required downwind buffer of 240 feet and 310 feet where listed species are located
  • A nationwide cutoff date of June 30 for over-the-top applications in soybeans
  • Opportunities to use hooded sprayers to reduce buffers
  • The same wind speed, sprayer speed and time of day requirements as the 2018 label.

You can view the full LG Seeds soybean lineup at LGSeeds.com, or contact your local LG Seeds team to discuss soybean and weed control options for your farming business.