Keep the Last Week or Two Safe on Spraying Dicamba

June 29, 2018

The spray season is coming to an end shortly. Soybeans have started to flower this past week and will be past R1 stage this week to next week. So, in these last days be extremely careful if spraying a dicamba product. This is the period last year when most problems occurred. If there is an alternative that would work consider it. Be sure to check with neighbors for sensitivity of neighboring crops. Be sure at all times to follow the requirements listed below. This way everybody will have a good harvest in 2018.

Must record time of cleanout of sprayer and method used before starting to spray.
Do not spray if there is a sensitive crop adjacent or neighboring down wind.
Must leave 110 ft buffer always unless an approved site is down wind.
Do not spray if a temperature inversion is present.
Spray only with a wind between 3-10 mph at boom height.
Spray only between sunrise and sunset.
Spray only with approved nozzles and in proper pressure range for nozzle being used.
Spray only with approved tank mixes and spray additives that are on the label.
Do not spray any additives or mixes containing ammonium type products “AMS”.
Spray at no more than 24 inches above crop canopy.
Spray at under 15 miles per hour sprayer speed.
Must use a minimum of 10 gallons of water with Engenia or 15 gallons of water with Fexapan or Xtendimax per acre.
Must use agitation at all times during spray operation.
Must apply before the end of R1 growth stage or when soybeans begin to bloom.
Do not spray if rain is expected in next 24 hours, rainfast to weeds in 4 hours.
Must be trained on dicamba-specific use and have documentation of training and testing.
Must keep daily records as listed on label of use and maintain for two years.
Must record time of cleanout of sprayer and method used when finished spraying.
The applicator is responsible for all drift whether physical or vapor.
Must spray full rate of product at all times.

Source: Paul O. Johnson, iGrow