Beginning in 2017, Mississippi led the way in regulating the use of auxin-specific (dicamba/2,4-D) herbicides. Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce (MDAC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have added additional state and federal regulations for the 2018 growing season. Read on for details, or view the Quick Links for compliance information, access to the mandatory training for purchasers and applicators, and Mississippi’s required recordkeeping form.

In 2017, Mississippi imposed state regulations for the use of any 2,4-D or dicamba products labeled and intended for in-crop use on 2,4-D- or dicamba-tolerant cotton or soybeans. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) listed these products as “state-restricted use” and capped wind speed limits at 10 MPH during application (the label stated a wind speed limit of 15 MPH).

MDAC also required that any person who intends to PURCHASE any dicamba or 2, 4-D product labeled and intended for in-crop use on 2,4-D- or dicamba-tolerant cotton or soybeans and classified as a state restricted-use pesticide must first complete and pass an MDAC-approved educational training course offered by Mississippi State University Extension. In addition to passing this training course, the person must ALSO be a certified applicator (commercial or private) of restricted-use pesticides in the State of Mississippi.

In 2018, MDAC further ruled that any product containing dicamba as a sole active ingredient in one-gallon containers or larger and labeled for agricultural uses shall be classified and registered as “state-restricted use.”

For the 2018 growing season, EPA has released new federal requirements for the use of auxin-specific herbicides. In an effort to combat issues concerning off-target damage from these products, EPA has moved to register dicamba products intended for use in tolerant crop systems as federally “restricted-use pesticides.” As such, normal RUP requirements apply (i.e., certified applicator training, recordkeeping requirements for dealers and applicators, etc.).

As part of these federally mandated changes, any person involved in the APPLICATION of any dicamba product labeled and intended for in-crop use on dicamba-tolerant crop systems must first complete dicamba-specific training. MSU Extension provides this mandatory training in Mississippi online and free of charge.

For more information about purchasing auxin-specific herbicides and complying with the new federal label requirements, see MDAC’s Auxin Herbicides: How to Comply in Mississippi. After reading this fact sheet, access the mandatory online auxin herbicide training for purchasers and applicators. After successfully completing the appropriate training, certified applicators MUST use the Mississippi Required Record for Engenia, FeXapan, and XtendiMax (Dicamba) Applications for each application of these products. Use this recordkeeping document (Extension publication F1173) as a fillable pdf form and save and/or print the completed form, or print the blank form and fill it in by hand. Complete the form within 14 days following the application and keep the record for 2 years. Also, be sure to retain proof of annual dicamba applicator training.

Quick Links

Auxin Herbicides: How to Comply in Mississippi (Mississippi Dept. of Agriculture and Commerce)

Mandatory auxin herbicide training for purchasers and applicators  (register for free online training from MSU Extension)

Mississippi Required Record for Engenia, FeXapan, and XtendiMax (Dicamba) Applications (Extension publication F1173)