The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced that online dicamba/auxin trainings have been approved for farmers and applicators who wish to use dicamba products.
Farmers and applicators can access the online trainings or find details about any upcoming in-person trainings here. The expanded training requirement is based on the need to provide Iowa farmers and applicators with training around the risks associated with dicamba and should help reduce problems associated with off-target movement.
"This past growing season showed how important it is that applicators closely follow all aspects of the product label when using dicamba products and the training requirements are designed to help reduce off-site impact from the product," says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Approximately 200 in-person training events took place in Iowa from January-March with more than 7,000 participants attending. With spring planting nearing, few in-person trainings are scheduled, so the online courses will ensure continued access for farmers and applicators.
XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology Herbicide, DuPont FeXapan Herbicide Plus VaporGrip Technology, and Engenia Herbicide are restricted use pesticides that can only be applied by certified pesticide applicators that have completed the auxin-specific (dicamba) training.
The topics that are covered in the training are:
- New Use Pattern for Dicamba-Tolerant Soybeans
- Application Requirements to include Wind Speed and Direction, and Use of a Buffer
- Temperature Inversions
- Changes in Record-Keeping Requirements
- Sprayer Tank Clean-Out
- Off Target Movement
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Pesticide Bureau is responsible for responding to complaints and investigating potential misuse of pesticides. It is important all applicators read and follow the label directions on any pesticide when using. It is a violation of state and federal law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with label directions.
If there is concern about a specific pesticide misuse incident, Iowans can file an Incident Report with the Department Pesticide Bureau by phoning 515.281.8591 or by emailing the information here.