The National Corn Growers Association thanked the U.S. Department of Agriculture today for its deregulation of dicamba-tolerant traits in soybeans and cotton. This approval, which came following a thorough yet expeditious environmental impact study, will provide growers access to another tool to combat growing instances of weed resistance.

“With farmers seeing instances of glyphosate-resistant weeds more commonly, the approval of this fourth herbicide tolerant system will be critical for grower success,” said NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chair John Linder. “By better dealing with instances of weed resistance, farmers not only increase yields but also improve agricultural sustainability.”

NCGA now urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to follow suit in promptly approving the herbicides compatible with this system and issuing stewardship guidelines. Should the EPA act in a timely fashion, the products could be available to farmers in time for planting this spring.