Dicamba Labels and Regulations

Following EPA and state pesticide labels and regulations is important for liability concerns. Most business general liability insurance coverages do not cover illegal activities. If the label is not followed, it may impact the coverage a business has for causing damage to another person’s property.

To aid farmers and businesses in complying with pesticide regulations, educational information on EPA and state regulations are summarized below.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regulations

Applicators in all states must follow the label on the product issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Dicamba products are classified as Restricted Use Pesticides with special labels because of earlier problems with off-target damages. Applicators must have either a commercial or private pesticide certification license to purchase and apply these dicamba formulations. Labels for these products impose the following additional requirements for over-the-top use of dicamba on genetically modified crops:

Additional State Requirements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that dicamba formulations for in-season applications are Restricted Use Pesticides. Several states have added additional restrictions to the use of these pesticides and/or issued 24c Special Local Needs labels. The additional requirements below are in effect for 2019.

States with no additional regulations (other than the EPA label) are Kansas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. Arkansas, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota do have additional restrictions for the in-season application of dicamba formulations.

 LabelsCut-Off Application DateBuffer RequirementsAdditional Requirements
EPA Must be applied within 45 days of planting soybeans and 60 days for cotton.Counties with endangered species: downwind buffer 110’ and 57’ buffer on other sides (110’ buffer applies to all applications). 
ArkansasSubmitted 24(c) to EPA25-May½ mile around fields of sensitive row crop fields and 1 mile around specialty crops, organic crops, & research fields.Not permitted to mix with glyphosate.
IllinoisSubmitted 24(c) to EPA30-JunMust maintain label-specified downwind buffer between last treated row & nearest downfield edge of any Illinois Nature Preserves Commission site.Application prohibited when wind blowing toward residential areas & recommended to apply when wind is blowing away from sensitive areas.
Consult FieldWatch registry & comply with label requirements.
Minnesota24(c)20-Jun  
North Dakota24(c)30-Jun  
South DakotaSubmitted 24(c) to EPA30-Jun  

This page is supported by a grant from the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center.