Environmental Groups want the Environmental Protection Agency not to renew the approval of over the top use of Dicamba herbicide without further independent research. Minnesota soybean grower Bob Worth chaired the state’s dicamba task force. He says there’s already been a great deal of research done on the product which shows proper use of it makes it work safely.

SDSU Extension Weed Science Coordinator Paul Johnson says dicamba is a needed tool for South Dakota’s growers especially in battling kochia.

He says producers must follow the proper guidelines when applying dicamba but when that is done it works well.

Some of the environmental groups have expressed concern at vapor drift problems with dicamba. Johnson says there’s been less drift issues with dicamba as the product has gotten better over the years.

Johnson says farmers have done a good job in cleaning out the product and know the proper hours to spray it when it’s the safest time to use it.