Nearly 200 farmers have obtained temporary restraining orders against the Arkansas in-season ban on dicamba use.
A DTN report says judges in three counties have granted restraining orders in response to last-minutes complaints filed by farmers. The office of State Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is filing appeals of those decisions to the state Supreme Court.
In the meantime, a spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office says those farmers are free to use dicamba while the orders are in place. Nicole Ryan, communications director for the attorney general, says the state Plant Board will enforce the federal label requirements for the farmers who are spraying dicamba while the country restraining orders are in place. “The attorney general will be seeking expedited stays from the supreme court, which would halt the judges’ decisions until the appeals are decided,” Ryan says.
In spite of the temporary restraining orders, Monsanto has opted not to sell its XtendiMax herbicide with Vapor Grip Technology, even though it’s registered for use in Arkansas on soybeans and cotton. Spokesman Kyle Richards says the company needs a stable and predictable environment before they’re able to make their product available to growers that want to use it.
The Arkansas State Plant Board made it illegal to use dicamba between April 15 and October 31.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.