Attend Training to Apply Dicamba Ag Products in 2018
Published: Friday, December 29, 2017
The following is from John Woodmansee, Extension educator in Noble and Whitley counties.
Most farmers have been made aware that as of Nov. 4, the Indiana Pesticide Review Board classified all pesticide products containing at least 6.5 percent dicamba, and having agricultural use labels, as Restricted Use Pesticides in Indiana. These products include previously over-the-counter herbicides that were sold to unlicensed applicators and farmers in years past.
If you want to use Engenia (BASF), XtendiMax (Monsanto), or FeXapan (DuPont), there are additional requirements for 2018. Among other new label restrictions, prior to applying any of these three products, every applicator must complete state-required dicamba training. This training requirement applies to every commercial applicator, registered technician, private applicator or non-certified applicator working under the private applicator's supervision who makes applications to soybeans or to any other crops listed on these product labels.
"The objective of the training is to prepare the applicator for the regulatory and practical rigors of applying these three products safely and effectively so we can maintain the availability of this weed control option in the future," said David Scott, state pesticide administrator with the Office of the Indiana State Chemist.
Only training programs sanctioned by the OISC and led by OISC-approved trainers will be accepted for dicamba applicators seeking the label-mandated training in 2018.
"Starting Jan. 1, all training will be run through the existing Continuing Certification Hour program for commercial applicators and Private Applicator Recertification Program for private applicators," Scott said. "Every 2018 training program for private applicators will include dicamba training. Likewise, many Category 1 CCH training sessions for commercial applicators will include the required dicamba training."
The portion of the training that covers requirements for applying dicamba herbicides is one hour long. It covers all legal application requirements for dicamba herbicides. Topics for both the private and commercial training sessions include: recordkeeping, weed management practices, buffer requirements, protection of susceptible crops, chemistry, mixing, handling, window of application, and associated application challenges and risks.
No certificate or special license designation will be issued. However, the training instructor and OISC will maintain a roster of those who complete the training and will record the applicator's name, address and license number. Attendees must keep a record with the training date, location and the CCH or PARP conference number as part of the mandatory label-required recordkeeping procedures for dicamba products.
Individuals who are already certified applicators (both private and commercial) do not need to complete the training to purchase the products, but the training must be completed before making any applications.
See detailed information from the Office of the Indiana State Chemist at: www.oisc.purdue.edu/pesticide/pdf/dicamba_rup_applicator_mailer.pdf.
To find an approved Private Applicator Recertification Program that covers the dicamba topic in 2018, go to: https://ppp.purdue.edu/private-applicators/recertification-parp/parp-events/.
Note that both Whitley County and Noble County applicators will have the opportunity to attend a local qualified training program on March 19. Official sign-in for the Whitley County program will be from 8-8:30 a.m. at the at the Whitley County 4-H Center, 680 W. Squawbuck Rd., Columbia City. The program will run through the official sign-out period, from 11:05-11:45 a.m.
The Noble County program will begin with official sign-in from 1 p.m. until 1:25 p.m. at the Noble County Complex-South, 2090 N. S.R. 9, Albion. It will conclude with the official sign-out period, from 3:30-4 p.m.
Private applicators will be charged the standard $10 program fee for credit. For both of these programs, preregister by calling the appropriate local Purdue Extension office. In Whitley County, call 260/244-7615; in Noble County, call 260/636-2111.
Additionally, all regional farmers may attend one of two official qualifying programs at the Fort Wayne Farm Show on the afternoons of either Jan. 16 or 17. Contact your local Purdue Extension office for details.
Some Category 1 trainings that target commercial applicators may also qualify. To see these events (listed qualifying events will have "/Mandatory Dicamba Training" Or "/Dicamba Training" at the end of the name), go to: www.oisc.purdue.edu/oiscweb/#!/publicrecords/pesticide/conferences. You may also type the word "dicamba" in the conference search box.
For more information, go to the OISC website at www.oisc.purdue.edu/.
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