Mielke Market Weekly

MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY By Lee Mielke MARKETING

This column was written for the mar- output per cow was down 15 pounds. keting week ending Aug. 20. Michigan was up 4.3 percent on 17,000 U.S. milk output was somewhat held in check in July by heat, humidity and drought — especially in the west. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s preliminary data pegs July output at 19.14 billion pounds. This is up 1 percent from more cows and a 10-pound gain per cow. Minnesota was up 4.2 percent on 17,000 more cows and five pounds more per cow. New Mexico was down 2.3 percent on a 15-pound loss per cow and 5,000 fewer cows. June, and just 2 percent above July 2020; New York was up 2.8 percent, thanks to though it is the 14th consecutive month a 45-pound gain per cow and 4,000 more to top year ago output. The 24-state total cows. Oregon was up 0.9 percent on 2,000 hit 18.3 billion pounds, up 2.1 percent. more cows; but output per cow was down Revisions lowered June’s 50-state estimate by 1 million pounds from last month’s report to 19.95 billion 10 pounds. Pennsylvania was down 1.2 percent on a loss of 7,000 cows and a five-pound drop per cow. pounds, up 2.9 percent from 2020. South Dakota unmistakably had The report wasn’t expected to excite traders either the biggest gain, up 17 percent, on 21,000 more way. cows and a 25-pound increase per cow. Texas had Interestingly, July cow numbers totaled 9.50 million head, down 3,000 from June, the second month the next biggest gain, up 7.2 percent, driven by 35,000 more cows and a 25-pound gain per cow. in a row they fell from the previous month; but were Vermont was up 1.4 percent on a 55-pound gain 128,000 above a year ago. June cow numbers were per cow; but cow numbers were down 2,000. revised down 5,000 head. Washington State had the biggest decline of the six July output per cow averaged 2,015 pounds, up 14 pounds or 0.7 percent from 2020. states showing a loss, down 6.7 percent, as soaring temperatures put stress on cows and farmers alike. Output per cow was down 85 pounds and cow num-

California cows put 0.7 percent less milk in the bers were down 8,000 head.tank in July as hot weather dropped output per cow by 15 pounds. Cow numbers mirrored those a year ago. Wisconsin was up 4.6 percent on a 60-pound gain per cow and 21,000 more cows. Dairy cow culling remained strong in July and again topped that of a year ago as margins remain tight. The latest Livestock Slaughter report shows an estimated 247,900 head were sent to slaughter

Idaho was up 0.8 percent on 9,000 more cows; but under federal inspection, up 10,400 from June and

Bad biofuel news sinks soybeans

NYSTROM, from pg. 18

year which would limit moisture. Argentina is battling lower river levels which are cutting loading levels by at least 25 percent. The Parana River is at its lowest in 77 years and the Argentine government has a 180-day water emergency in place.

Brazil will begin soybean planting in about a month with Argentina following in October. Safras & Mercado estimates Brazil will produce 147.4 mmt of soybeans in 2022 compared to the USDA estimate of 144 mmt. The Rosario Grain Exchange expects Argentina’s 2021-22 soybean acres at 16.4 million hectares to be the lowest since 2006. Their Argentine 2021-22 soybean production is estimated at 49 mmt vs. USDA’s latest 52 mmt projection.

Outlook: Soybeans eased higher on continued daily export sales announcements until the big riskoff day late in the week that was sparked by bearish macro action, i.e., weak energies and strong dollar, plus a better outlook for rain. The report of the lower recommendation for biofuel blending was the final touch to a weekly key reversal lower in November soybeans. Crude oil posted its longest losing streak since 2019 with seven consecutive lower closes as of Aug. 20. November soybeans closed 74.25 cents lower for the week at $12.90.75 per bushel, its first close below $13.00 since late June. The January contract dropped 73.5 cents to $12.95.75 and November 2022 soybeans were down 30.25 cents at $12.26.5 per bushel.

How the weather pattern affects the final touches on the soybean crop in the East vs. West yield fight is an unknown as we head into the end of the month. There are many years when we don’t have much confidence in soybean yield estimates until the combine rolls. For the now, a soybean yield of around 50 bu./ acre seems to be the minimum for many traders. Seasonally, November soybeans usually erode vs. the January contract through late September, i.e., more of a carry. We broke technical support this week and we’ll need something bullish for all to recover.

Nystrom’s notes: Contract changes for the week as of the close on Aug. 20 (September contracts): Chicago wheat slumped 48 cents to $7.14.25, Kansas City fell 40.25 cents to $7.02, and Minneapolis lost 25.75 cents to $9.18.5 per bushel. v 14,200 or 6.1 percent above July 2020.

Culling in the first seven month of 2021 totaled 1.81 million, down 14,900 or 0.8 percent from the same period a year ago.

In the week ending Aug. 7, 59,500 dairy cows were sent to slaughter, up 1,000 from the previous week, and 6,600 or 12.5 percent above that week a year ago.

n

The USDA announced details of the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program to help dairy producers. USDA will provide $350 million in payments to farmers who received a lower value for their products due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic. The assistance is part of a larger package including improvements to the Dairy Margin Coverage safety net which will update the feed cost formula to better reflect actual costs for high quality alfalfa. The change will be retroactive to January 2020 and is expected to provide additional retroactive payments of about $100 million for 2020 and 2021.

PMVA payments will reimburse qualified farmers for 80 percent of the revenue difference per month based on an annual production of up to 5 million pounds of milk marketed and on sales from July through December 2020. The payment rate will vary by region based on the actual losses on pooled milk related to price volatility and be made through independent handlers and cooperatives.

Speaking in the Aug. 23 “Dairy Radio Now” program, HighGround Dairy’s Lucas Fuess said while details have not been finalized, the program was clearly designed to focus on smaller dairies. He said he doesn’t see it significantly impacting markets; but will likely boost milk output the rest of 2021 and into 2022.

The Biden Administration also announced a reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The average SNAP benefit, excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief, will increase 25 percent for Fiscal Year 2022 beginning Oct. 1.

The Aug. 17 Daily Dairy Report says the increase in benefits could mean an additional $2 billion in dairy products purchased with SNAP funds. The increase provides each of the 42 million recipients an additional $1.19 per day.

Dairy producers can surely use the help. Dairy margins were unchanged in the first half of August as increases in both milk prices and feed costs were largely offsetting since the end of July, according to the latest Margin Watch from Chicago-based Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC. Strength in cash cheese prices were supportive of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Class III futures which bounced about $1.50 per cwt. from recent lows, the

See MIELKE, pg. 20

MIELKE, from pg. 19 Margin Watch stated.

The Margin Watch cautioned, however, “The overall tone of the market remains bearish with spot futures still down around $2.50 from their May highs. Milk production remains strong for this time of the year. Demand uncertainty lingers from the advancing Delta variant of Covid-19 and indications from Open Table that U.S. restaurants are no longer showing growth in demand, with some significant slowing evident in states more heavily impacted by the current Covid-19 surge. Mobility data similarly suggests a modest slowdown in travel.” n

The August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates lowered its milk production estimate 100 million pounds from July, the Margin Watch said, “But the bigger surprise was on the feed side where USDA cut the corn yield projection by 4.9 bushels from July to 174.6 bushels per acre, down 2 million from the average industry estimate. The soybean yield was similarly trimmed to 50 bushels per acre from 50.8 and was below the average pre-report estimate of 50.3 bushels. Both corn and soybean meal pushed higher following the report, and high feed costs continue to raise breakeven prices for most dairy operations which now generally need at least $18.00 per cwt. to cover all costs.”

Checking demand, June cheese disappearance was up 3.8 percent from May, unchanged from June 2020, and up 5.1 percent year-to-date, according to the USDA’s latest data. Total disappearance was driven by stronger American-style cheese demand, says HighGround Dairy, but negatively impacted by weaker non-American usage.

Butter was also up 3.8 percent from May, but down 3.5 percent from a year ago, and the third consecutive month disappearance was below a year ago. HighGround Dairy says robust demand in first quarter kept year-to-date disappearance (up 2 percent) higher in the first half of 2021.

Nonfat dry milk domestic disappearance was up 6.4 percent from May, but down 20.7 percent from a year ago, and up 0.3 percent year-to-date. HighGround Dairy says it was the weakest June domestic disappearance on record. n

Looking globally, the Aug. 17 Global Dairy Trade auction ended eight consecutive declines but not by much. The weighted average inched up 0.3 percent following the 1 percent drop Aug. 3; 2.9 percent drop on July 20; and 3.6 percent on July 6.

Butter led the gains, up 4 percent, following a 3.8 percent rise in the last event. Anhydrous milkfat was up 1.5 percent following a 1.3 percent gain. Cheddar was up 2.8 percent after inching 0.7 percent higher, and skim milk powder was up 1.1 percent after it rose 1.5 percent last time. Whole milk powder was down 1.5 percent after dropping 3.8 percent last time.

StoneX Dairy Group says the GDT 80 percent butterfat butter price equates to $2.1111 per pound U.S., up 8 cents, after advancing 7.5 cents last time, and compares to CME butter which closed Aug. 20 at a huge bargain $1.6625. GDT cheddar, at 1.8990, was up 5.4 cents, and compares to Aug. 20’s CME block cheddar at $1.6925. GDT skim milk powder averaged $1.3845 per pound, up from $1.37.

Whole milk powder averaged $1.6112 per pound, down from $1.6322. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Aug. 20 at $1.25 per pound.

StoneX’s Dustin Winston says, “North Asia (which includes China) purchases were in line with their market share last event but below year ago levels. The smaller purchasing regions: Africa, South/ Central America, and North America, were the only regions to increase their market share from both last event and year-ago levels.” China is buying lots of product outside of the GDT as well.

Looking ahead, HighGround Dairy points out, “Despite a solid milk production season in 2020-21 and a flat outlook for this year, Fonterra’s 12-month offer volumes are now the lowest in a little more than three years (May 2018).” n

Following double digit gains the previous week, the CME cheddar blocks saw daily loses the third week of August while the barrels moved higher temporarily narrowing the spread, and then fell back. The blocks closed Aug. 20 at $1.6925 per pound, down 12 cents on the week but 4.25 cents above a year ago.

The barrels climbed to $1.5125 per pound on Aug. 18 (the highest since July 14), but saw their Aug. 20 finish at $1.4775. This is still up 2.75 cents on the week, 14.75 cents above a year ago, and 21.5 cents below the blocks. Six cars of block exchanged hands on the week at the CME and 21 of barrel.

The 640 block packaging issues continue to be a threat, according to StoneX. Talk at the recent Idaho Milk Processors Association conference was that production of the boxes could catch up by midSeptember. Cheese makers dealing with the issue either dump the milk or move it into barrel production.

Meanwhile, Midwestern cheesemakers report strong sales, according to Dairy Market News. Plant managers reported turning down new orders because they can’t keep up. Nonfat dry milk is increasingly being used to fortify, as milk supplies are tight. Production schedules were steadily busy and market tones were still in flux as the block barrel spread remains well above the norm.

Retail and food service cheese demand remains steady in the West. Concern is growing over the surge in Covid and its impact on demand. Global demand also remains strong however loads intended for overseas continue to face delays due to port congestion. Cheese markets are mixed. Milk supplies are sufficient to keep vats busy despite the seasonal decline in milk but some plants are running under capacity due to labor shortages, says Dairy Market News.

Spot butter closed Aug. 20 at $1.6625 per pound, down three-quarter cents on the week, but 14.75 cents above a year ago. There were 32 sales report-

See MIELKE, pg. 21

Technology does nature’s work

CARBON, from pg. 15

The Nature Conservancy: “We can start by managing our agricultural and forest systems better to help clear the world atmosphere. But if we can set up incentives so farmers can be rewarded, then perhaps suddenly agriculture becomes a huge part of this solution.

“The second thing: Farmers who’ve adopted these conservation practices are also seeing soil health improvements which can increase water-holding capacities of their soils. And that’s a buffer against yield losses in times of drought. And with heavy rains, less muddy water into drainage ditches, rivers and lakes too. In essence, that’s a win/win situation producing benefits beyond any direct carbon payments.”

Tim Palmer, Iowa farmer and immediate pastpresident, National Association of Conservation DIstricts: ”Mother Nature built inches, feet and tons of carbon into the organic matter of our soils hundreds of years before we got here. Now technology enables us producers to do what nature did to our soils years before we started changing our farming lands with the moldboard plow.

“Now with these wisdoms and technologies, can we collectively work together to make this carbon sequestration doable and start making positive changes in the climates of this wonderful earth? Yes, we can and I think we will!”

Forum moderator Jerry Groskruetz, KDHL Farm Director: “It seems to me farmers have been sequestering carbon for decades. In my grandfather’s era, his clean fields after harvest was the indicator. Now changes such as no-till crop production, sequential planting of seeds, insecticides, even fertilizers … all by equipment being electronically guided. I’m hoping farmers will be rewarded for what they already have done and the rest of society will start recognizing the incredible ability of farmers in preserving this amazing production of food, fiber and fuel.” v

MIELKE, from pg. 20

ed on the week.

Grade A nonfat dry milk closed at $1.25 per pound, down 2 cents on the week but 25.25 cents above a year ago, with seven cars finding new homes on the week.

CME dry whey finished 1.25 cents higher, closing Aug. 20 at 53 cents per pound, 19.5 cents above a year ago, with two sales reported on the week at the CME.

The September Federal order Class I base milk price was announced at $16.59 per hundredweight, down 31 cents from August, $1.85 below September 2020, and the lowest Class I since April. It equates to $1.43 per gallon, down 2 cents from August, and compares to $1.59 per gallon a year ago. The nine month Class I average is $16.41, down from $16.65 a year ago and $16.51 in 2019. n

Speaking of Class I; June sales of packaged fluid products fell to 3.4 billion pounds, down 6.7 percent from June 2020, after dropping 4.3 percent in May. Conventional product sales totaled 3.2 billion pounds, down 6.9 percent. Organic products, at 228 million, were down 3.7 percent, and represented 6.7 percent of total sales for the month.

Whole milk sales totaled 1.2 billion pounds, down 6 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date consumption down 7.9 percent. Whole milk represented 32.8 percent of total milk sales for the six month period.

June skim milk sales, at 196 million pounds, were down 12.7 percent from a year ago and down 14.4 percent year-to-date.

Total packaged fluid milk sales for the first half of 2021 amounted to 22.1 billion pounds, down 5.4 percent from 2020. Conventional product sales totaled 20.7 billion pounds, down 5.4 percent. Organic products, at 1.4 billion, were down 0.9 percent, and represented 6.5 percent of total milk sales for the period.

The Aug. 13 Daily Dairy Report states, “USDA data shows nearly 7.5 billion breakfasts and lunches were served pre-pandemic, from March 2019 to February 2020, through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. However, from March 2020 to February 2021, the month stay at home orders began, and the subsequent year, meal output declined by 2.2 billion, a 30 percent drop. If each meal contained a half-pint of milk, this loss equates to 137.5 million gallons of milk or about 1.183 billion pounds, roughly 100 million pounds less than Texas’ June milk production.”

The USDA’s latest Crop Progress report showed 73 percent of U.S. corn at the dough stage, as of the week ending Aug.15, up from 56 percent the previous week, 1 percent behind a year ago, but 5 percent ahead of the five-year average. Twenty-two percent was dented, 1 percent ahead of a year ago, and matched the five-year average. Sixty-two percent was rated good to excellent, down 2 percent from the previous week, and 7 percent below a year ago.

The soybean crop shows 94 percent blooming, up 3 percent from the previous week, 1 percent behind a year ago, and mirrored the five-year average. Eighty-one percent were setting pods, up from 72 percent the previous week, 2 percent below a year ago, but 2 percent ahead of the five-year average. Fifty-seven percent were rated good to excellent, down 3 percent from the previous week, and 15 percent below a year ago.

Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspapers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v

We can’t help you choose between A and B. But we can help you choose from our genetically diverse lineup of products.

Scan to watch the video

Photos by Paul Malchow Farms from each of Minnesota’s 87 counties were honored on Aug. 5 as Farm Families of the Year. Pictured is the Wilson family of Le Sueur county. The inaugural Hay Bale Art Auction benefiting 4-H and FFA groups garnered a total of $625 for the three participating groups: Marshall FFA, Redwood County 4-H Ambassadors and the Valley Blazers 4-H Club. Ziegler Ag Equipment donated $200 to each group allowing them to purchase supplies to create the hay bale art. The Steffes Group performed the live auction on site and donated the bales for the event.

The Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year award went to Jane Goplen of Canby, Minn. Goplen’s work on her corn and soybean farm plus, her contribution to her family, church and community earned her the $500 top prize. Keep an extra watch on swine during fair season

SWINE & U, from pg. 11

positive factor in keeping the ASF virus from moving into other countries in this hemisphere.

USDA is currently sending lab equipment and technical assistance to the Dominican Republic as they request it. Scientists from the University of Minnesota’s veterinary swine group will be traveling to the Dominican Republic within this month to assist with eradication of the outbreak. The Dominican Republic has set up strategies to assist their producers with stamping out the virus and to provide compensation for those producers affected.

Biosecurity — Keeping Minnesota swine safe

The plan to keep ASF out of our U.S. and Minnesotan swine population comes back to meticulous biosecurity. Biosecurity is the action of keeping disease out of the herd, and also stopping the spread of any disease within the herd.

There are a number of important elements in a successful biosecurity plan. Separate new pigs before bringing them into your herd and monitor them for signs of disease. If pigs become sick, sepa-

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rate them and contact your veterinarian.

Don’t visit other swine farms. If you must visit another farm, take a shower and wash your clothing before and after your visit. Vehicles and tools can carry disease. Don’t share equipment with other farms and clean tools after use.

Limit visitors to your farm and reduce on-farm traffic as much as possible. Ask all visitors about recent travel outside the country. Do not let anyone who has been in an ASF-affected country onto your farm for at least five days after they enter the United States.

Garbage feeding laws

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health issues permits to people who feed food waste to livestock. In order to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases like ASF, the Board conducts routine inspections of farms which are permitted to feed garbage. All livestock on permitted farms must appear healthy.

Food waste containing meat or has come into contact with meat, must be cooked to at least 212 F (100 C) for at least 30 minutes. Cooked and uncooked food waste must be separated and stored appropriately. Rodents and pests must be kept away from uncooked food waste.

Feeding areas and trucks must be cleaned and sanitized as needed, and trucks used for hauling food waste over public roads must be leak-proof. Unconsumed food waste and dead livestock must be disposed of properly.

Feral swine

Feral swine are pigs which live in the wild. Feral swine pose a significant threat because they can carry dangerous diseases which the swine industry has worked hard to eradicate from domestic pigs.

Minnesota prohibits importation of feral swine, swine who were feral at any point in their lifetime and feral swine carcasses. There are exceptions for some processed products. You can contact the Board of Animal Health to learn more about import restrictions.

Know the signs

Producers can familiarize themselves with the symptoms of ASF. If pig caretakers see unusual health issues or unexplained deaths, they should contact the herd veterinarian immediately.

Some signs of an ASF infected pig include: fever; discoloring of the skin; loss of appetite; vomiting or diarrhea; difficulty breathing; weakness; or sudden death.

We’re currently in the swine exhibition season with pigs moving across the landscape to shows and fairs. Any pigs returning home to be with other pigs must be isolated for 14 to 30 days to ensure their good health. Unusual symptoms should be reported to the pigs’ veterinarian.

Dr. Cesar Corzo recently answered ASF questions from U of M Extension swine educators Sarah Schieck Boelke and Diane DeWitte and that can be heard at z.umn.edu/PodcastEpisode25 .

More information can be found at cahfs.umn.edu and www.mn.gov/bah

Information for this article was sourced from University of Minnesota Extension, the U of M Center for Animal Health and Food Safety, and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

Diane DeWitte is an Extension Educator specializing in swine for the University of Minnesota Extension. Her e-mail address is stouf002@umn.edu. v

By TIM KROHN Free Press Mankato

MANKATO, Minn. — It looks like a pretty yellow version of Queen Anne’s lace, but wild parsnip has a toxic sap that when on the skin reacts to sunlight and can produce some horrendous burns and blisters. The plant also can harm livestock that eats it.

“It’s not run amuck, but that’s what we don’t want to happen,” said Blue Earth County Commissioner and farmer Kevin Paap.

Land owners and county weed inspectors have been seeing more of the invasive plant and trying to keep it under control before it becomes a much bigger problem.

“Prevention is the key. But you can’t be everywhere to see it, so it helps to have people tell (the county) when they see it,” Paap said.

Blue Earth County Public Works Director Ryan Thilges said the county has been more aggressive in finding and eliminating wild parsnip on public land but said much of it is on private land.

“It’s a nasty one. Wild parsnip is a problematic weed, and we have been seeing it becoming more predominant,” Thilges said. “We’re seeing it on more private lands. The county is responsible for its right of way and property owners are responsible for managing weeds on their own property, or townships or cities on their property.”

Finding and removing it is more problematic because wild parsnip looks like other plants. And precautions need to be taken in removing it to keep people safe.

“We’ve sent out a mower with a closed-cab tractor and mowed out areas,” Thilges said. “It’s a combination of spraying and mowing, depending on the season and where the parsnip is in the growth cycle.”

He said the county will do more spraying this fall as well as hiring contractors to spray. “We have a lot of work and limited resources, just like cities and townships, so we try to manage it as best we can.”

Paap encourages people who mow ditch hay to contact the county if they see what they believe is wild parsnip. “We need the landowners to help us.”

Thilges said county workers often notice it in public ditches but said there are more remote roads and ditches where they may not spot it.

People can call 507-304-4025 if they see what they believe is wild parsnip.

If it’s on private property, the county will notify the owner they are responsible for removing it and provide resources on doing so safely.

“Can you safely mow it? Do you need to spray it?” Paap said. “And if you’re mowing ditches, you want to be careful you don’t have things that animals can’t ingest.”

He said farm fields generally don’t have wild parsnip because they are sprayed for weeds. It’s more often a worry for CRP land, ditches and other areas outside of farm fields.

European import

Wild parsnip was brought by European settlers, who cultivated its edible root.

But in its second year of growth, the plant puts up its flat-topped flowers that produce the bitter, toxic sap. Once it seeds out, it spreads rapidly and now is found in all but a few states.

After it blooms in its second year, wild parsnip sets seeds and dies. Those seeds can remain viable in the soil for years, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Media reports say wild parsnip appears to have flourished during this drought year.

MDA has a few suggestions when dealing with wild parsnip.

Given the effect the sap can have on human skin, hand pulling generally is not recommended. But small numbers of plants can be removed by hand if using sturdy gloves and clothing as protection.

First-year wild parsnip rosettes and recently bolted — rapidly growing — stems that have not set seeds can also be killed by using a sharp spade or shovel to sever the tap root 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface.

Mowing or cutting larger stands before flowering in June will kill a majority of mature plants and significantly reduce seed production. Repeated mowing throughout the season and for several subsequent years is required to prevent re-sprouting and to cut newly bolted plants. After mowing an infestation, wash equipment to prevent moving seed into new areas.

Use a selective broadleaf herbicide in the early spring or late fall to target rosettes and newly bolted plants prior to flowering. Several years of treatment may be required to control the overall population until the seedbank is exhausted or other vegetation begins to compete with the remaining plants. The MDA recommends checking with a local Extension agent, co-op or certified landscape care expert when considering chemical treatments.

If exposed to the sap, experts recommend washing the site thoroughly with soap and water, then keeping it covered for at least 48 hours to avoid a reaction. If a reaction does occur, keep the affected skin out of the sun to prevent further damage and see a physician.

The Free Press and The Land are sister publications owned by The Free Press Media. v

www.TheLandOnline.com EPA approves paraquat applications

In an interim registration review decision recently released, the Environmental Protection Agency announced grower access to the herbicide paraquat will continue to be allowed — including uses for soybeans; and aerial applications will continue to be permitted under certain circumstances.

The herbicide has been under scrutiny for alleged links to Parkinson’s, but EPA clarified, “there is limited, but insufficient, epidemiologic evidence to conclude that there is a clear associative or causal relationship between occupational paraquat exposure … and Parkinson’s.”

Originally, the agency had proposed an end to aerial applications aside from cotton desiccation, but upon further review it decided it would allow aerial applications on up to 350 acres within a 24-hour period for all uses, except for cotton desiccation which will not face limitations.

To minimize human health and occupational bystander risks, additional protective equipment requirements have been imposed, as well as the timeframe from field re-entry after application lengthened from 24 hours to 48 hours. Importantly though, EPA’s decision will keep paraquat available and meaningfully useable for growers who need it to protect their crops and maintain conservation practices.

Other measures to help mitigate risks include prohibiting pressurized handgun and backpack sprayer applications, requiring enclosed cabs or respirators for groundboom applications and increasing the Restricted Entry Interval for several crops.

This article was submitted by the American Soybean Association. v