The state of North Dakota is trying to get a handle on dicamba drift. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture is gathering information on plant damage that may have been caused by the in-crop use of the herbicide on soybeans.
“Although we’ve had fewer complaints than last year, there have been reports of potential off-target dicamba applications,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “In an effort to understand the amount of injury, those who suspect dicamba damage are encouraged to complete our survey to help us quantify the number of potential reports and acres affected.”
June 30 was the last date that dicamba applications could be made in the state in accordance with North Dakota-specific protocols put into place this year. The results of the survey will help determine how effective the protocols were in minimizing off-target movement.
Information gathered from the survey is anonymous, will not be used for pesticide enforcement against applicators and no penalties will be issued based on it. Those wishing to file a formal pesticide complaint should contact NDDA at 701-328-2231.
Goehring encouraged those with damage to follow up with the chemical representative for the product that was used, if known.
