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Dicamba back for cotton: EPA approval arrives “just in time”

The National Cotton Council says it’s pleased the U.S. EPA will allow the use of over-the-top dicamba herbicides for the next two years. 

“They did get it out just in time.”

Chad Brewer, the vice president of technical services, tells Brownfield if the agency would have waited any longer to issue its approval, there could have been problems this spring.

“As we sit today, in mid-February, I think that the majority of producers that want to use the product will be able to access it.”

Over-the-top dicamba is used to control Palmer amaranth in cotton, but using the herbicide comes with risks: it can drift onto sensitive crops and cause damage, and some pigweeds have become resistant to OTT dicamba products. Drift has caused legal challenges, and there was no legal label for OTT dicamba products in 2025.

In the latest two-season registration, EPA has set new restrictions to reduce drift. Brewer says the new guidelines are necessary, even if it means applicators must pay more attention to timing and technique.

“I think the changes that they’ve made, such as doubling the volatility reduction agent plus the temperature restrictions, I do think that if we applied according to the label, the mitigations are sufficient.”

The EPA says applicators must follow the new guidelines or the agency can revoke the approvals. Brewer says mandatory training is required for all applicators, which should help with compliance.

“The registrants are working on getting that training out to the producers and the applicators so that everyone that applies the product can know and follow the label.”

Brewer says the new mitigation strategies show the EPA is listening to producers and while the industry will see how they work, it’s a positive step to have OTT dicamba for the next two growing seasons.