THE EPA AND U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have withdrawn their proposed interpretive rule that clarified protection for streams and wetlands under the Clean Water Act.

The proposed rule was introduced in March 2014 and was intended to clarify exemptions to the Clean Water Act’s Section 404, in regards to discharges of dredged or fill material associated with certain agricultural conservation practices.

Instead it was met with several questions and concerns from farmers and agricultural organizations. The American Farm Bureau Federation claimed the rule would allow the EPA to regulate everything from puddles to ephemerals, and would make it more difficult to farm or change a farming operation to remain competitive and profitable.

According to the agencies, the U.S. Congress directed them to withdraw the rule effective immediately on Jan. 29.

IN OTHER NO-TILL NEWS…

• DuPont Crop Protection introduced DuPont Revulin Q herbicide, an early post-emergence herbicide for field corn grown for silage or grain, sweet corn, yellow popcorn and corn grown for seed. It combines nicosulfuron and mesotrione for residual control of johnsongrass, foxtails, lambsquarters, pigweeds and more.
• Nutra-Flo introduced its Nutra-K line of five specialized potassium products that boost potassium and sulfur levels. With low-salt formulations, they’re safe for use in starter or foliar applications.
• Syngenta announced it will sell its BroadAxe XC herbicide this year. The herbicide combination provides broad-spectrum control of broadleaf and annual grass weeds in soybeans, sunflowers and dry peas.
• Verdesian Life Sciences launched NutriSphere-N HV, a new polymer formulation of the NutriSphere-N Nitrogen Fertilizer Manager that protects high-volume applications of UAN — providing a cost-effective option for growers who apply at least 35 gallons per acre of UAN.
• FMC Corp. acquired all global rights to a novel proprietary herbicide from Kumiai Chemical Industry Co. and Ihara Chemical Industry Co. The unnamed product will initially be developed for use on broadleaf weeds in corn, soybeans, cereals and sugarcane.
• Dow AgroSciences announced its Enlist soybean traits will not be stacked with the first generation of Roundup Ready traits from Monsanto, adding it will only be stacked with newer, advanced glyphosate traits.
• DuPont Pioneer introduced Bolt, a new herbicide-tolerant trait available in select U.S. soybean varieties. For 2015, Pioneer brand T Series soybeans with the Roundup Ready trait and Bolt technology will be available in maturity groups IV and V to farmers across the Mid-South.
• Cheminova introduced pethoxamid, a new herbicide active ingredient that works by inhibiting the germination of target weeds. It can be used for pre- or post-emergence, and is slated for use in canola, corn, cotton, rice, soybean and sunflower in the U.S. and Canada.
• AGCO and Raven Industries announced their enhanced supplier relationship to provide tighter integration of technology into farm equipment. This fall, AGCO’s RoGator and TerraGator application equipment will offer the Raven Viper 4 field computer as standard equipment.
• Yara International and BASF will build a world-scale ammonia plant at BASF’s site in Freeport, Texas. The plant will use hydrogen as raw material to reduce capital expenditures, maintenance and carbon dioxide emissions.
• Priaxor D fungicide from BASF received EPA registration. It contains three modes of action to manage strobilurin-resistant frogeye leaf spot in soybeans.
• Eco Agro Resources introduced N Yield AZ anti-freeze formula, a nitrogen stabilizer created to stay liquid at 0 F using “Penxcel” technology. The stabilizer also penetrates deeper into granular urea and provides consistent coverage.
• Stine Seed Co. and United Suppliers Inc. formed a marketing and sales consultant partnership to accelerate seed sales growth. Stine Seed says this will give growers a better return on investment.
• Platform Specialty Products Corp. closed its acquisition of Arysta LifeScience for approximately $3.51 billion. It is the company’s third acquisition in the crop protection segment.