Minnesota-specific dicamba training and use requirements

Natalie Hoidal, Tana Haugen-Brown, Dean Herzfeld, and Dave Nicolai

An estimated 10,000+ Minnesotans will use Monsanto, DowDuPont, and BASF’s new dicamba products this year. All individuals applying XtendiMax™ with VaporGrip™ Technology (Monsanto, EPA Reg. No. 524-617), FeXapan™ with VaporGrip™ Technology (DowDuPont, EPA Reg. No. 352-913), or Engenia™ (BASF, EPA Reg. No. 7969-345) dicamba products must undergo special product label-required training in order to comply with Minnesota Pesticide Control Law. Because these products are now Restricted Use Pesticides, all applicators of these products must also be a certified Private pesticide applicator or a licensed Commercial or Noncommercial pesticide applicator.

Dicamba or auxin-specific training requirements

To apply XtendiMax, FeXapan, or Engenia products in Minnesota in 2018 season, you must complete both of the following requirements (in any order):

1. Be a licensed Commercial or a Noncommercial or a certified Private pesticide applicator. This is required to apply Restricted Use Pesticide(s) in Minnesota. Obtaining a license or certification includes completing an exam and other requirements. More information about becoming a certified or licensed pesticide applicator is available from Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s licensing unit web site: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/pesticide-fertilizer/pesticide-applicator-license-types#Private
2. Attend a special label-required training provided by any one of the products’ registrants (Monsanto, DowDuPont, or BASF). The Minnesota Crop Production Retailers (MCPR) is maintaining a website to host information about these training sessions. Please click here: https://mcpr-cca.org/dicamba-information-trainings/ and select the calendar for information on training sessions and to register for a training session close to you.
   Please note: These training site locations and registrations are being updated frequently for your convenience. Additional dicamba product specific information is available on MCPR website by selecting the three chemical company buttons.

Summary of Minnesota dicamba or auxin-specific training for 2018

1. Attending one of the 2 hour training sessions will comply with the federal label requirement for annual special product label-required training for pesticide applicators who intend to apply XtendiMax, FeXapan, or Engenia dicamba products in Minnesota in 2018.
2. These 2 hour training sessions are offered free of charge by Monsanto, DowDuPont, or BASF and are necessary to meet the federally mandated label training requirements of the three products mentioned above.
3. Successful completion of any one of these registrants' training sessions satisfies the federal label training requirements for all the three products, regardless of the registrant offering the training.

Minnesota-specific dicamba use requirements for dicamba-tolerant soybeans

In order to apply the labeled dicamba products (XtendiMax, FeXapan, or Engenia) to dicamba-tolerant soybeans (Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybean varieties) in Minnesota, the following restrictions apply in addition to federal restrictions, as listed on the FIFRA Special Local Need 24(c) Label for Minnesota:

1. Restricted Use Pesticide: For use ONLY by certified Private or licensed Commercial or Noncommercial pesticide applicators. Minnesota does not allow “uncertified applicators” to use Restricted Use Pesticides under the direct supervision of a Certified Applicator.
2. Cutoff date: Do not apply after June 20.
3. Cutoff temperature: Do not apply if the air temperature in the field at the time of application is over 85 degrees Fahrenheit or if the National Weather Service’s forecasted high temperature for the nearest available location for the day exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Local National Weather Service forecasts are available at https://www.weather.gov/phi/localclimate.