Agricultural equipment spraying field at sunsetAs growers prep for their 2022 weed control strategy, some are being forced to find alternatives when they found out that EPA labels for herbicides for Enlist seeds were banned in select counties across the U.S. These bans are the result of EPA’s new strict analysis of risks to endangered species as part of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With many caught off guard, from farmers to seed dealers, Corteva Agriscience has stated they are working diligently to include these counties on the label. Growers in these counties could be faced with making a difficult choice: stay the course with Enlist or determine if it’s worth switching to Xtend (though it’s important to note these seeds are not without restriction as well).

If you’re located in a banned county and assessing your options, the folks at DTN recommend asking these questions:

• What alternative herbicides can I get?
• How will this impact my preemergence program?
• What herbicide-resistant weeds do I need to plan for?
• Am I allowed to spray dicamba if I switch to Xtend?

Read more on the Enlist herbicide ban.