MANHATTAN, KANSAS (RFD NEWS) — The landscape for over-the-top (OTT) dicamba use has shifted again, with new federal guidance putting what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls the “strongest safeguards ever” in place for growers using dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen with Kansas’ Washburn School of Law joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to explain the latest EPA updates on over-the-top (OTT) dicamba applications for the current and upcoming growing season, and what producers need to know before they start spraying.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, McEowen said the EPA issued new registrations in early February covering products now approved for use only during the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons, creating a time-limited framework for producers.
He explained that application limits have been significantly reduced, with seasonal totals roughly halved compared to earlier labels. New temperature-based restrictions are also in place, including a prohibition on applications when forecasted highs reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, along with additional limits when temperatures fall between 85 and 95 degrees. He noted that some states may enforce even stricter thresholds.
McEowen also emphasized stricter drift mitigation requirements, including a mandatory 240-foot downwind buffer, limits on wind speed and spray height, and a continued ban on aerial applications. He stressed the importance of proper documentation and adherence to tank-mix requirements to reduce liability risks.
Finally, Roger further outlined new conservation requirements, explaining that most fields must meet a minimum point threshold through approved practices such as cover crops, grass waterways, or contour farming, with higher requirements in designated sensitive areas.
READ MORE: Over-the-Top (OTT) Dicamba Protocols Shift Again — Firm to Farm
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