Cotton producers weren’t allowed to use Dicamba in 2024 for over-the-top applications due to a federal court ruling. However, the Environmental Protection Agency did allow growers to use existing stocks of Dicamba. Oklahoma State University Extension Cotton Specialist Jenny Dudek says it is a concern.

“You know, the loss of Dicamba would be devastating, I think. We do have cotton producers in the state of Oklahoma that plant Dicamba cotton, and so they need to think about alternatives or what they’re going to do moving forward if they do stick with that Dicamba cotton. A couple of things that I would like to spread the word on to keep in mind is making sure we’re putting down residuals pre-. We want to make sure we’re starting clean in that growing season so we can stay clean throughout the growing season or stay as clean as possible. And then we do have some over-the-top post options like Liberty and Roundup, some of those type of chemicals that you can spray, and if they still work on your farm.”

Without over-the-top Dicamba this year, it’s time to start looking at alternatives.

“It’s kind of just trying to fill the place really. We do have resistance to Roundup in our state. That’s kind of a touch-and-go product. Liberty, it’s kind of under weather conditions whether it works well or not, depending on the weeds and things like that. What I would really, really, really like to push is just making sure that we’re putting residuals out pre- and either tank-mixing residuals is what I mean. So, instead of just relying on one, let’s tank mix two to try to cover a broader spectrum of weeds.”

It’s important to get the growing season off to as clean a start as possible.

“Then also kind of extend that period at the beginning of the season, so we can get our crop up and growing, and then, hopefully, get it to canopy staying clean, and then, once it gets to the canopy, then the canopy will kind of take over for our weed control.”