Dicamba FAQ - 2021 Growing Season

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding dicamba use and label requirements.

1.  Do I need to take dicamba-specific training?
   Prior to applying any of the three dicamba products labeled for in-crop use in soybean and cotton (Engenia, Xtendimax, and Tavium) in the 2021 growing season, a certified applicator must complete dicamba specific training. This training requirement applies to applications made to soybeans (including use in burn-down). Dicamba-specific training is required prior to applying these products in the 2021 growing season and each growing season thereafter.  If you received dicamba-specific training last year, you must still complete the training again in 2021. 
   
   
2. What does dicamba training cover?
   The training covers the product label requirements, recordkeeping requirements, weed management practices, buffer requirements and protection of sensitive crops, sensitive areas and endangered species, spray drift management, chemistry, mixing and handling, window of application, equipment preparation and special considerations. 
    

3. Do I need to complete training before I purchase these products?
   Certified applicators (both private and commercial) do not need to complete training to purchase the products, but you must complete training before applying the products.
   

4. How do I prove completion of dicamba-specific training?
   Once the certified applicator successfully completes the on-line training, a certificate will be automatically generated. Per label requirements, applicators are required to retain certificates of training completion. If you have taken a dicamba-specific training and did not receive a certificate by email, or cannot locate the email, please contact the registrant hosting the training for that record.
   

5. What type of dicamba training will be accepted in Illinois?
   The registrant-provided in-person training, webinars, and online training tutorials hosted by BASF, Bayer, and Syngenta are all accepted forms of dicamba specific training of the products. Any of the on-line training programs listed below can be utilized to provide certification for using dicamba in 2021.   

   • BASF on-line training is here:  https://www.engeniaherbicide.com/stewardship.html
   • Bayer on-line training is here:  https://www.roundupreadyxtend.com/stewardship/Pages/default.aspx
   • Syngenta on-line training is here:  https://www.syngenta-us.com/herbicides/tavium-application-stewardship
     
     NOTE: An applicator only needs to attend one of the training sessions provided by any of the manufacturers, regardless of which of the three dicamba products they apply.

    

6. If I completed a dicamba-specific training session in another state will it be accepted in Illinois?
   Yes.  Any dicamba training which is approved by the state in which the training is conducted will be considered acceptable training in Illinois.  
   

7. What restrictions, in addition to the federally approved labels, have been added by the Illinois Department of Agriculture?

   • Temperature Restriction:
     DO NOT apply this product if the air temperature at the field at the time of application is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit or if the National Weather Service forecasted high temperature for the nearest available location for the day of application exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit. (local National Weather Service forecast available at https://www.weather.gov)
   • Cut-Off Date Restriction:
     DO NOT apply after June 20th.
   • DO NOT apply when the wind is blowing toward adjacent residential areas.
   • Must consult the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry before application.
   • DO NOT apply when the wind is blowing toward any adjacent Illinois Nature Preserves
   • Commission site. 

    

8. Can I spray dicamba if the field is in a county listed as having endangered species? 
   Yes.  HOWEVER, in these specific counties, a 310 foot in-field wind-directional spray drift buffer and a 57-foot omnidirectional in-field buffer are required to be maintained to protect federally listed threatened and endangered species. 
   
   The following areas may be included in the buffer distance calculations when directly adjacent to the treated field edges:

   • Roads, paved or gravel surfaces, mowed grassy areas adjacent to field, and areas of bare ground from recent plowing or grading that are contiguous with the treated field.
   • Planted agricultural field containing dicamba-resistant plantings of cotton or soybeans.
   • Areas covered by the footprint of a building, silo or other manmade structure with walls and/or roof.

   The buffers must be documented in the record of application. 

   You must follow the measures contained in the Endangered Species Protection Bulletin for the area in which you are applying.  Bulletins can be obtained, no more than six months before application, at:  https://www.epa.gov/espp/ . 

   There are 18 counties in Illinois that are required to establish the 310 foot downwind and the 57-foot omnidirectional buffer.  Those counties include: Bureau, Effingham, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle, Livingston, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, St. Clair, Tazewell and Will.

    

9. Can I include an adjacent planted agricultural field containing corn in my 310-foot and 57-foot Endangered Species buffers?
   No, the endangered species bulletins only allow planted agricultural fields containing dicamba-resistant plantings of cotton or soybeans to be included in the buffer calculation. 
   

10. Can a non-certified individual or a licensed operator use dicamba under the supervision of a certified applicator?
    No. The label directions for dicamba products require certification, licensing and safety training of all individuals using these products. Direct supervision that is permitted for some other RUPs is not allowed for these products.
    

11. The Illinois specific restrictions for the three dicamba products require that I check the National Weather Service (NWS) website(www.weather.gov) to ensure that the forecast high temperature for the proposed date of application will not exceed 85 degrees.  How soon before the application should I check the forecast?
    In order to obtain the most accurate forecast, IDOA requires consultation of www.weather.gov no earlier than one calendar day prior to the date of application. IDOA recommends that the applicator print a copy of the forecast to include with the application records. The forecast is obtained by entering the zip code of the nearest town to the proposed field of application.   
    
    Examples:

• On the day of application, the forecasted high temperature for the day per the NWS website is 84 degrees and the air temperature at the time of application is measured (as required by the product label) by the applicator to be 83 degrees. The application may proceed.
• The high temperature for the proposed application date per NWS website is forecasted to be 87 degrees at 5 p.m. The applicator measures the air temperature at the field at 10 a.m. to be 76 degrees. This is a DO NOT APPLY situation because the forecast high for the day of application exceeds 85 degrees.
• The high temperature for the proposed application date per NWS website is forecasted to be 83 degrees at 5 p.m. The applicator measures the air temperature at the field at 2 p.m. to be 86 degrees. This is a DO NOT APPLY situation because the air temperature at the time of application exceeds 85 degrees.
  
12. What is the cut-off date for application of dicamba to soybeans in Illinois?" 
    June 20^th 
     

13. The label requires consulting a sensitive crop registry prior to application. How do I know if a sensitive crop is located near or around fields of application?
    Prior to application, the applicator must consult the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry at https://www.fieldwatch.com and comply with all associated record keeping label requirements.
    

14. The Illinois specific restrictions for the three dicamba products require that I check the FieldWatch sensitive crop registry for the presence of nearby sensitive crops or sites. Can I also use that site to check for the presence of nearby non-DT soybeans?
    Yes.  Effective January 1, 2019, a new FieldWatch feature called CropCheck allows growers to map row crops like soybeans, cotton, and corn that may be sensitive to some nearby pesticide applications. You can access CropCheck through https://fieldwatch.com/
    
    Please be advised that checking CropCheck for nearby non-DT row crops does not eliminate the requirement for the applicator to ensure those neighboring crops are dicamba-tolerant before application.  
     

15. Who may apply dicamba-containing products?
    Only certified applicators may apply dicamba. Those working under the supervision of a certified applicator may not make applications.    
    

16. How should records of dicamba applications be kept and how long should they be retained?
    The federal label requires numerous elements to be kept for every individual application. Records must be generated within 72 hours after application and a record must be kept for every individual application. Although not required, each registrant has sample forms available that can be used for assistance in recordkeeping. US EPA requires record retention for 2 years.  
    
    Engenia Recordkeeping Form:
    https://www.engeniaherbicide.com/content/dam/cxm/agriculture/engenia-herbicide/stewardship/application-checklist/documents/Engenia_Record_Keeping_Form_12-8-20.pdf
    
     
    Tavium Recordkeeping Form:
    https://assets.syngenta-us.com/pdf/media/Tavium_RecordKeeping_Form_mech_Interactive_2020.pdf
    
    
    Xtendimax Recordkeeping Form:
    https://www.roundupreadyxtend.com/Documents/xtendimax-record-keeping-form-v2.pdf

     

17. The Illinois specific restrictions state that application on soybeans of a pesticide containing dicamba shall not be made if the wind is blowing toward any Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) site that is adjacent to the field of application.  What are Illinois Nature Preserves Commission sites and how do I find where they are located within the State?
    The INPC assists private and public landowners in protecting high quality natural areas and habitats of state-listed species through dedication or registration of such lands into the Illinois Nature Preserves System. These areas are afforded a high level of ecological protection pursuant to the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act. INPC site locations are available here.
    
    Note: The mapping tool on the site includes several layers in addition to the INPC sites, including Illinois threatened and endangered species, Illinois natural areas inventory sites and IDNR owned and managed properties. Applicators can access the specific INPC site layer for information in seeking to comply with the dicamba labels.
    

18. Can I apply dicamba after June 20^th if DT soybeans are still in vegetative stage?
    The Illinois specific restrictions prohibit application after June 20^th regardless of soybeans growth stage.
    

19. Can I spray dicamba products if the wind is blowing in the direction of sensitive crop species or residential areas?
    No. Dicamba application CANNOT occur if the wind is blowing in the direction of adjacent sensitive crops or residential areas.  
    

20. Can I reduce the minimum required downwind buffer by using a hooded sprayer?
    Yes, when using a qualified hooded sprayer, the required 240 foot downwind buffer required in non-endangered species counties may be reduced to 110 feet and the 310 foot downwind buffer required in endangered species counties may be reduced to 240 feet.  Please visit your product specific website for complete details and requirements.
    

21. Per label requirements, dicamba applications can only be made one hour after sunrise and two hours before sunset. How do I know the sunrise and sunset times if it is cloudy on the day of dicamba application?
    Applicators are encouraged to visit the National Weather Service website to verify the times of sunrise and sunset on that calendar day.