Expert: It’s time for cotton growers to explore over-the-top Dicamba alternatives

Cotton growers will be without over-the-top Dicamba this year, and Oklahoma Extension specialist Jenny Dudak says that will require some adjustments.

“You know, the loss of Dicamba would be devastating, I think,” said Jenny Dudak. We do have cotton producers in the state of Oklahoma that plant Dicamba cotton, so they need to think about alternatives or what they’re going to do moving forward if they stick with that Dicamba cotton. A couple of things that I would like to spread the word on to keep in mind are making sure we’re putting down residuals pre-planting. We want to make sure we’re starting clean in that growing season, so we can stay clean throughout the growing season or stay as clean as possible. And then we do have some over-the-top post options like Liberty and Roundup, some of those types of chemicals that you can spray, and if they still work on your farm.”

A Federal Court ruling last year removed Dicamba from rotation but allowed growers to use existing stocks. Back in November, a small group of senators asked the EPA to deny any future registrations of Dicamba, arguing that tighter restrictions had already been tried and were not enough to mitigate the damage.

Related Stories
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
New rule speeds leasing and permitting for federal oil and gas development
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening joined us with the latest update on storm conditions and impacts across the state.
Year-round E15 remains on the table, but procedural caution and competing regional interests pushed action into a slower, negotiated path.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council published a joint press release regarding the advancement of legislation to delist the Mexican Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species Act.
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Global pork production is expected to rise in the first half of 2026, despite trade volatility stemming from shifting import policies and swine disease pressures.
Clear right-to-repair guidance reduces downtime, repair costs, and operational risk.
Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Batey joined us with the latest on biosecurity efforts and the state’s new “Know Before You Show” initiative.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses the state’s latest efforts to prevent the New World screwworm from reaching Texas.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman “GT” Thompson is pushing a “Farm Bill 2.0.”
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.