Understanding Buffer Requirements for Dicamba Applications in Xtend

Rodrigo Werle (UW-Madison Extension Cropping Systems Weed Scientist)

On October 31, 2018 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)announced their decision to extend the registration of the dicamba products Engenia, Fexapan, and Xtendimax for use in dicamba-tolerant crops (Xtend technology) through December 20, 2020; however, additional label changes were made.

A particular change that has led to some questioning is the new 57-foot omnidirectional buffer requirement to protect federally listed threatened and endangered species and critical habitat in specific US counties. On November 19, 2018, EPA posted the list of US counties where threatened and endangered species and critical habitat may exist (thus locations where the new 57-foot buffer must be incorporated).

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