Understanding the EPA’s New Dicamba Label- What this Means for Cornelius Seed

Written by the Cornelius Seed Team – February 6 2026

Late this afternoon our soybean lead, Will Cornelius, shared exciting news: after months of uncertainty, dicamba has been re‑registered for over‑the‑top use on dicamba‑tolerant (DT) soybeans. Will noted that “the new label moves away from strict calendar‑based cut‑off dates and instead ties applications to temperature thresholds and the use of drift‑reducing agents. A full podcast will follow, but we wanted to give our growers a clear picture of what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today and how it impacts your weed‑control plans.”

What the EPA announced

On February 6 2026, the EPA issued a time‑limited registration for OTT dicamba on DT cotton and soybeans. The agency describes this registration as the “strongest protections in agency history” for over‑the‑top dicamba use[1]. The decision comes in response to strong farmer advocacy for access to dicamba as a tool against herbicide‑resistant weeds[2]. The EPA emphasized that dicamba remains widely used in U.S. agriculture and that today’s announcement only covers OTT applications, not pre‑plant or burndown uses[3].

EPA’s review relied on hundreds of peer‑reviewed studies and field data to evaluate human‑health and ecological risks. The agency acknowledges past off‑target movement and volatility issues and is implementing extra protections to mitigate them[4]. This registration is limited to the next two growing seasons and will be reevaluated based on field performance and new data[5].

Key changes in the 2026 dicamba label

The new label keeps many of the familiar restrictions from previous registrations and adds several new safeguards. Below is a high‑level summary of the most important changes.

New restrictions for 2026

• Reduced application rate: Growers may make only two applications of 0.5 lb of dicamba per acre per season, for a total of 1.0 lb per acre annually[6]. This cuts the maximum total use rate in half compared with the 2020 registration.
• Increased volatility reduction requirements: Every application must include 40 oz per acre of an approved Volatility Reduction Agent (VRA)[7]. These additives are designed to keep dicamba molecules from turning into vapor and drifting off‑target.
• Mandatory conservation practices: Each treated field must earn 3 runoff/erosion mitigation points from the EPA’s conservation menu (e.g., vegetative buffers, contour farming or cover crops). In some regions designated as Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs), 6 points are required[8]. These measures help keep dicamba out of waterways and protect endangered species.
• Temperature‑based application limits: The biggest change is the shift from a calendar cut‑off to temperature rules. If the forecasted high temperature on the day of or the day after application is between 85 °F and 95 °F, you may treat only 50 % of your remaining DT cotton and soybean acres in that county; the rest must wait at least two days[9]. No applications are allowed if the forecasted temperature is at or above 95 °F[10]. These limits are meant to reduce volatility and drift during hot conditions.

Legacy restrictions retained

The 2026 label also retains many of the previous rules, including the following:

• Restricted use pesticide: OTT dicamba may be applied only by certified applicators[11] who have completed annual training[11].
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) for loaders, mixers, handlers and applicators[12].
• 24‑hour restricted entry interval (REI)[13].
• Mandatory drift reduction agent (DRA) in every tank mix[14].
• 240 ft downwind buffer (with possible reductions if hooded sprayers or windbreaks are used)[15].
• Application timing rules: No applications during temperature inversions; no applications within 48 hours of forecasted rainfall; none if the soil is saturated; and spraying must occur between one hour after sunrise and two hours before sunset[16].
• Proximity and wind‑speed restrictions: Applications are prohibited if downwind sensitive crops are present[17], and spray must occur when wind speeds are between 3–10 mph[18]. Only coarse droplets may be used and spray height must remain within 2 ft of the crop canopy[19].
• No aerial application and no tank mixing with ammonium sulfate[20].
• Mandatory record keeping of each application[21].

EPA also underscored that these requirements are legal obligations, not suggestions. Violations may lead to civil fines or even criminal prosecution under FIFRA[22]. The agency will actively monitor compliance, and the entire program could be revised or revoked if off‑target incidents continue[5].

What this means for Cornelius Seed customers

For growers using Roundup Ready XtendFlex® soybeans or other dicamba‑tolerant seeds from Cornelius Seed, the new label offers both opportunities and responsibilities.

1. Another weed‑control tool: Will Cornelius noted that regaining access to OTT dicamba is “great news” because it gives farmers another tool to control hard‑to‑kill weeds. Resistant pigweed and water hemp populations have been particularly challenging in the Midwest, and the ability to apply dicamba over the top of soybeans provides flexibility when other chemistries fail.
2. Pay attention to temperature and weather: The old cut‑off dates (e.g., mid‑June) are gone. Applications now depend on forecasted temperatures and weather conditions. Plan your post‑emergence program accordingly—check 24‑hour and 48‑hour forecasts before spraying, and be prepared to delay applications when conditions are hot or windy.
3. Add VRAs and DRAs to every tank: Two different additives are now mandatory—volatility reduction agents (40 oz/acre)[7] and drift reduction agents[14]. Talk with your retailer or agronomist to ensure you have approved products on hand.
4. Use conservation practices: Evaluate your fields to meet the EPA’s runoff and erosion mitigation points[8]. Practices like buffer strips, cover crops, grass waterways and terracing not only help meet label requirements but also improve soil health and water quality.
5. Keep records and documentation: With increased enforcement and record keeping requirements[21], maintain detailed spray logs (dates, times, weather, additives and field notes). This protects you in the event of an inspection and helps identify best practices.

Next steps from Cornelius Seed

• Education and support: Our team is already reviewing the new label and will provide updated materials. We will publish a podcast soon with Will Cornelius diving deeper into the nuances of the label and how to implement it effectively.
• Seed and trait selection: If you plan to use dicamba on your soybeans, make sure you are planting dicamba‑tolerant XtendFlex® seed. Cornelius offers a wide selection of XtendFlex® varieties along with other trait platforms (Enlist E3®, LibertyLink®, etc.) for diversified weed‑control strategies.
• Stewardship first: Responsible use of dicamba is paramount. Off‑target movement can damage neighboring crops and sensitive vegetation. Adhering to the label protects your farm, your neighbors and the longevity of this technology. Let’s work together to demonstrate that farmers can use dicamba safely and sustainably.

If you have any questions about the new label, contact us at Cornelius Seed. We’re here to help you navigate these changes and keep your fields clean.

Stay tuned for more resources and thank you for trusting Cornelius Seed.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]  EPA Implements Strongest Protections in Agency History for Over-the-Top Dicamba Use on Cotton and Soybeans for Next Two Growing Seasons

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USEPAAO/bulletins/4082738