By Clint Thompson
Georgia’s cotton producers will likely produce this year’s crop without the use of in-season dicamba products.
Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia Extension weed scientist, shared the unfortunate news during the Georgia Cotton Commission meeting on Jan. 29.
“So, unless some unforeseen force helps us get the product, I think the best decision for a grower is to develop their management program without in-season dicamba,” Culpepper said. “Remember, we have dicamba for burn-down. We have the traditional tools that are available, but for in-crop use, I think the best approach right now is to develop that plan without it.
“Keep in mind, everybody from local to national, we’re trying to do everything we can to find an opportunity to get you the right product. We’re just in a difficult situation for 2025.”
Labels for three over-the-top dicamba products, including XtendiMax, Engenia and Tavium, were vacated in February 2024. The products were re-submitted with improved use patterns. However, since the products were vacated, they must go through full registration.
There is no label for 2025, and Culpepper is not confident in a label being ready for 2026.
In the absence of this valuable herbicide, cotton growers must consider alternatives.
Herbicide Alternatives
“In our cotton industry, if we don’t have a dicamba system in crop, you’re really looking at the 2-4,D system alternative, or if the dicamba cotton yields the best for you in this day and age, you need to plant that and we, meaning Extension, can you help implement a Liberty-based program,” Culpepper said.
“The Liberty-based program is not quite as good nor will allow you the flexibility as a dicamba-based program, but if we can get you there on time and that’s really the biggest pigweed being 3 or 4 inches, we can make the Liberty program work. Where we can’t make the Liberty program work is when you get to the field and the pigweed is 6, 7 or 8 inches.”