Dicamba Drift Concerns Continue Despite New EPA Safeguards

By Andi Anderson

Dicamba is a widely used herbicide that helps cotton and soybean farmers control tough and resistant weeds. While it remains an important agricultural tool, its tendency to drift away from target fields has continued to create concerns among farmers, scientists, and environmental groups.

Herbicide drift occurs when chemical particles move beyond the intended application area. This movement can affect nearby crops, trees, gardens, and natural vegetation. Symptoms of drift often include curled, cupped, or misshapen leaves, which can weaken plants and impact their long-term health.

Kim Erndt-Pitcher, Director of Ecological Health at Prairie Rivers Network, has been studying pesticide drift in Illinois for several years. Describing the visible effects on plants, she said, “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.”

Research and field observations have shown signs of herbicide exposure across many areas. Environmental groups have reported that a large number of surveyed locations displayed symptoms of drift damage. Experts are particularly concerned about oak trees and other important species that play a vital role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.

In an effort to address these concerns, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced new regulations for dicamba use on genetically modified soybean and cotton crops. The agency described the updated requirements as the “strongest protections in agency history," aiming to reduce off-target movement and improve environmental safety.

However, opinions on the new rules remain divided. Some weed scientists believe that while certain restrictions have become stricter, other requirements have been relaxed. This has raised questions about whether the updated regulations will fully prevent future drift incidents.

Kim Erndt-Pitcher, Director of Ecological Health at Prairie Rivers Network, expressed concerns about the continued challenges surrounding dicamba use. She stated, “Over and over, the courts have dealt with this issue, and we've had extremely technical, long labels to follow, and it's still causing injury. It's really frustrating to see it come back.”

Legal disputes over dicamba have continued for several years, with previous federal rules facing court challenges. Shortly after the latest regulations were issued, a coalition of nonprofit and advocacy organizations filed another lawsuit against the EPA.

Despite the controversy, many cotton and soybean growers argue that dicamba remains one of the few effective options for controlling harmful weeds. They believe that, when applied responsibly, it can support crop production while helping farmers manage weed pressure. The ongoing debate highlights the challenge of balancing effective weed control with environmental protection.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-fertnig