Iowa issues Special Local Needs label outlining dicamba-specific training requirements

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced it has issued a Special Local Need registration for XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology Herbicide, FeXapan Herbicide plus VaporGrip Technology, and Engenia Herbicide. The registration outlines topics that must be covered during the auxin-specific (dicamba) training required as part of the EPA product registration.

“We worked closely with Iowa State University to develop these updated training topics. This additional training requirement is specifically for farmers and applicators who will be using dicamba products during the upcoming growing season. This training is separate and distinct from the pesticide applicator continuing instruction courses that are already in place for applicators,” Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, said. “It is important that applicators closely follow all aspects of the product label when using dicamba products.”

The Department is working with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa to provide a listing of approved training at DicambaTrainingIowa.org.

The following program topics will be included in all approved 2019 auxin-specific (dicamba) training in Iowa:

The use of buffers to reduce pesticide exposure to nontarget species. Websites listed on the pesticide label including nozzles, tank mix partners, EPA Bulletins Live, and sensitive crop registry. Weather conditions and timing of application to include wind speed, temperature, humidity, and time of day. Sprayer system cleanout and approved tank mixes.

Recordkeeping requirements to include crop planting date, buffer requirement, sensitive crop awareness, product label, and time of day.

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 that 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.

The Department will also continue to maintain FieldWatch, the free online registry for apiaries and commercially grown crops sensitive to pesticides. Applicators are encouraged to check FieldWatch before applying pesticides. Iowans with qualifying crops or beehives should register their locations at FieldWatch.com.

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 emailing pesticides@IowaAgriculture.gov. This report must be filed within 60 days after the alleged date that damages occurred.

More information about activities of the Department's Pesticide Bureau can be found at iowaagriculture.gov/pesticides.asp.​