No Change in Dicamba Cutoff Date in Nebraska

Dicamba-resistant soybean, also known as Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybean, or XtendFlex soybean are grown in Nebraska. Three dicamba-based herbicides — Engenia, Tavium, and XtendiMax — are labeled for application in Roundup Ready 2 Xtend and XtendFlex soybean. XtendiMax can be applied pre-plant, pre-emergence or post-emergence until R1 (beginning of flowering) soybean growth stage or June 30, whichever comes first. In-crop application of Tavium can be made over-the-top of dicamba-resistant soybeans through V4 growth stage or up to and including June 30, whichever comes first.

A recent change in dicamba cut-off date by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in a few states created questions among soybean growers in Nebraska about cutoff date of dicamba in Nebraska for 2023 growing season.

As per the new label, cutoff date for over-the-top dicamba application in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana will be June 12 or the V4 soybean growth stage, whichever comes first. The label sets the new application cutoff date for South Dakota is on June 20, rather than the previous cutoff of June 30.

“At this late date, Nebraska producers have already made their 2023 planting decisions and have likely purchased seed and pesticide products to implement their plans,” Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton said. “The proposed early cutoff date of June 12 for dicamba use would negatively impact this growing season for many farmers in Nebraska. We appreciate the U.S. EPA retaining the June 30 cutoff date for this year in Nebraska.”

Therefore, there is no change for applying these three dicamba products in soybean and the cutoff date of June 30 will continue for the 2023 growing season in Nebraska.

Note that dicamba products (Engenia, Tavium and XtendiMax) are Restricted Use Pesticides — for use only by certified applicators. Dicamba spray application training is required before applying these products. Here are the links for online training:

Engenia: https://www.engeniaherbicide.com/training.html

Tavium: https://www.syngenta-us.com/herbicides/tavium-application-stewardship

XtendiMax: https://www.roundupreadyxtend.com/stewardship/pages/default.aspx