The EPA has decided to allow over-the-top dicamba use on dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans for the next two growing seasons, saying farmers still need this tool to fight tough, herbicide-resistant weeds like Palmer amaranth. At the same time, the agency is putting the tightest rules ever on dicamba—cutting use rates in half and adding stricter limits on temperature, timing, buffers, and conservation practices to prevent drift and off-target damage. Bottom line, dicamba is staying in the toolbox for now, but it comes with more responsibility than ever, and EPA will be watching closely to decide what happens after these two seasons. Ag groups react to this news below:
American Farm Bureau Federation-
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on EPA finalizing the registration of dicamba products. “Farmers appreciate the decision by Administrator Lee Zeldin and the EPA to release a new registration and updated label for dicamba, an important herbicide that allows farmers to grow safe and healthy food and fiber. EPA’s review and approval process, based on sound science, resulted in guidance that gives us continued confidence it can be safely applied. We look forward to helping ensure farmers clearly understand the updated label requirements. “Farmers take seriously our responsibility to care for the resources we’ve been entrusted with, including the careful use of pesticides. Today’s announcement will provide farmers with certainty as they plan for this year’s planting season.” Farm Bureau has long advocated for access to safe, effective and innovative crop protection tools. This week, AFBF joined several other agricultural organizations in calling on EPA to uphold its science-based review and approval process. To read the letter, click here
American Soybean Association-
The American Soybean Association (ASA) applauds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for finalizing a new dicamba label for Over the Top (OTT) use, an important step in preserving access to a critical weed management tool for soybean farmers. Dicamba remains an essential part of Integrated Pest Management Systems (IPMs), ensuring growers can maintain long-term control of destructive herbicide-resistant weed populations. This EPA action comes at an opportune time when growers are making critical decisions for the 2026 planting season. Without access to effective post-emergence tools, farmers face higher costs, reduced yields, and fewer sustainable options for protecting their crops. “We appreciate EPA moving forward with a new dicamba label and recognize the importance of maintaining access to this tool for soybean farmers,” said Scott Metzger, president of the American Soybean Association and an Ohio soybean grower. “Farmers need clear, workable rules that accurately reflect how we farm. We look forward to reviewing the final label and hope it incorporates the feedback ASA and its state affiliates provided to ensure dicamba remains a practical option within a responsible, science-based weed management system.” ASA and its state affiliates have consistently urged EPA to deliver a clear, practical, and science-based label that provides certainty for farmers and applicators. Last year, ASA and its state affiliates submitted detailed comments urging EPA to ensure any final registration is workable in real-world farming conditions. Those comments emphasized the need for greater flexibility around temperature restrictions, the importance of multiple modes of action in IPMs like tank mixing, and reasonable spray drift and runoff mitigation requirements that are workable, science-based, and cost-effective for growers. ASA is eager to review the label and continue engaging with EPA to ensure regulatory decisions support both environmental stewardship and the realities of modern agriculture.
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) President & CEO, Daren Coppock, released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released updated guidance on over-the-top (OTT) dicamba application:
“ARA applauds EPA’s recent decision that preserves the safe use of OTT dicamba while maintaining workable, label required mitigation measures for commercial applicators,” said ARA’s President & CEO, Daren Coppock. “ARA members have a strong record of responsibly managing dicamba applications and advancing the implementation of precision ag technologies that help growers control resistant and hard to manage weeds. OTT dicamba remains an essential tool for protecting yields and supporting soil health and environmental sustainability in cotton and soybean production.”
