Tom Polansek and Emily Flitter, “EPA eyes limits for agricultural chemical linked to crop damage,” Reuters, September 5, 2017.
SUMMARY:
More details on proposed EPA regulatory action ahead of 2018 growing season to address dicamba damage crisis. EPA is considering a cut-off date in spring or early summer for dicamba applications, allowing pre-emergence spraying only. The agency calls the extensive damage of this season unacceptable and warns of “significant changes” to the rules. This will impact Monsanto’s bottom line: “If the EPA imposed a April 15 cut-off date for dicamba spraying, that would be catastrophic for Xtend – it invalidates the entire point of planting it.” Article also notes the high cost of dicamba seed as farmers try and decide the benefit of ordering the resistant seed. ” Dicamba-tolerant soybeans cost about $64 a bag, compared with about $28 a bag for Monsanto’s Roundup Ready soybeans and about $50 a bag for soybeans resistant to Bayer’s Liberty herbicide.”