NAAA Submits Comments to EPA to Fight for Aerial Applications of Two New Herbicides

Earlier this week NAAA submitted two letters to the EPA with comments regarding the proposed registration of two new herbicides, diflufenican and trifludimoxazin. Diflufenican is a preplant and preemergence herbicide intended to provide control of waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, and other pigweed species. It will be labeled only for corn and soybeans, but aerial application will not be allowed. NAAA objected, acknowledging that while aerial applications of preplant and preemergence herbicides are not common, there are times when wet soils prevent growers from using ground rigs.  In those situations, aerial application is an essential tool growers rely on to provide timely and effective control of weeds. NAAA’s comments on diflufenican can be read here.

Trifludimoxazin is a new contact herbicide which will provide control of both broadleaf and grassy weeds. It is labeled for aerial use on all labeled crops except peanuts and tree crops. NAAA agreed with the aerial drift mitigation requirements including droplet size, boom length, wind speed, and swath displacement. NAAA also agreed with the buffer zone requirements to protect endangered species, but did request that a 50 percent boom be added to the list of mitigations that can be used to reduce the buffer distance. NAAA objected to the prohibition of aerial applications of trifludimoxazin on peanuts and tree crops, stating that these growers should not be denied access to aerial applications. Click here to read NAAA’s comments on trifludimoxazin.