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Atrazine use restrictions in Wisconsin

As corn planting approaches for Wisconsin farmers; a reminder from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection that atrazine use is limited in parts of the state.  There are 101 prohibition areas in 35 counties: Adams, Brown, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Juneau, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Monroe, Outagamie, Pierce, Portage, Richland, Rock, Sauk, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood.

There are other areas which have restrictions on who may apply it, when it may be applied, how much can be applied and where it may be mixed and loaded.  DATCP also notes there are nearly 100 products on the market which contain atrazine so be sure to read the label.

In areas where atrazine use is allowed, it must be applied by a certified farmer or commercial applicator between April 1 and July 31 according to the label and soil type;

• On coarse texture or sandy soils, no more than 0.75 pounds per acre per year.
• On medium texture or loam soils, no more than 1 pound per acre if it was used the previous year on that land, or 1.5 pounds per acre if it was not used the previous year.