sprayer.jpg

New Ag Chemical Label Illuminates EPA ‘Mission Creep’ Beyond Environment

The new labeling system looks familiar but may require a second look after roll-out of fledgling federal crop protection registration language

Until recently, once the EPA issued a registration for various crop protection products, growers and product manufacturers seemed to be on solid ground when they read and followed application rules and regulations published on the official label.

But things appear to be changing. The EPA has developed a new online system called Bulletins Live! Two that determines if additional pesticide use limitations are needed to protect listed endangered species or habitat based on the application site, specific product, and application month.

The changes represent a major shift in how agricultural and non-agricultural pesticide applications meet regulatory compliance across the U.S. for the 2025 growing season and beyond.

Pesticides requiring the use of the Bulletins Live! Two system will so state on the label under “Environmental Hazards” section, according to Michigan State University grower information. If a crop protection product label directs users to Bulletins Live! Two, they are required to follow the pesticide use limitations found on both the label and the bulletin generated by Bulletins Live! Two.

Published reports use BASF’s Liberty ULTRA label for 2025 as one of the first examples growers might encounter under the new system.

The active ingredient in the newly-registered herbicide, promoted as being more “herbicidally active” is still glufosinate, but it is a different isomer. Liberty ULTRA contains glufosinate-P-ammonium, also referred to as L-glufosinate ammonium, or flufosinate-P.

EPA’s New Strategy

Bill Johnson, weed control specialist at Purdue University, likens the situation to the difference between metolachlor and S-metalochlor.

“Syngenta replaced metalchlor in Dual…

To view the content, please subscribe or login.
 Premium content is for our Digital-only and Premium subscribers. A Print-only subscription doesn't qualify. Please purchase/upgrade a subscription with the Digital product to get access to all No-Till Farmer content and archives online. Learn more about the different versions and what is included.

Dmcmugtrail

Dan Crummett

Dan Crummett has more than 40 years in regional and national agricultural journalism including editing state farm magazines, web-based machinery reporting and has a long-term interest in no-till and conservation tillage. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Oklahoma State University.

Top Articles

Current Issue

Cover_CTG_0225_BookWithPages_Curl_art.png

No-Till Farmer

Get full access NOW to the most comprehensive, powerful and easy-to-use online resource for no-tillage practices. Just one good idea will pay for your subscription hundreds of times over.

Subscribe Now

View More

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

View More
Top Directory Listings