Arkansas Panel Approves New Rules For Dicamba’s Use In 2020

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas panel has approved new rules for the use of an herbicide that has drawn complaints from farmers who say it has drifted onto their crops and caused damage.

The Plant Board on Tuesday approved an amended rule for the use of dicamba for the 2020 growing season. The rule keeps in place a May 25 cutoff for the herbicide’s use.

Under the rule, all applications of in-crop dicamba products between April 16 and May 25 must be reported to the state Department of Agriculture’s online registry within 10 days. Applicators of dicamba during that period must have a printed GPS map of the application available on request.

The rule now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson and will go to a legislative panel after 30 days if he approves.