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COVID-19 Updates

The SDABA office is open and working on your behalf with all issues related to COVID-19.  There is so much information to share, that we are sending out numerous updates to members.  If you do not receive the SDABA News, please email [email protected] and we will add you to a special COVID-19 mailing list.  Please feel free to call the office at 605/224-2445 or email [email protected] if you have any additional concerns or questions.

Paraquat Training for Certified Applicators

Paraquat labels in 2020 require anyone who "uses" or applies the products to be certified applicators and also take paraquat label training.  Syngenta explains the requirement in the document below.  To access the on-line paraquat training program, click on the title of this story.  To learn more about classroom training options see the document below.  

Don't Forget to Check Out the Available Dicamba Training, for opportunities in-person, webinars, and on-line:

Bayer Stewardship and Training Opportunities

BASF Stewardship and Training Opportunities
Corteva Stewardship and Training Opportunities

It's Time to Register With ResponsibleAg

Nearly 2,600 facilities are participating in the ResponsibleAg Certification Program, with more than 1,320 facilities already receiving their certification and many of those being re-certified after completing their second audit cycle. We encourage you to register your facilities today! For more information and to register, go to responsibleag.org.

EPA Releases Preliminary Interim Decision on Neonicotinoids

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Proposed Interim Decision (PID) on a class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids (neonics), which specifically addresses steps EPA is taking to protect pollinator health. Since 2015, EPA has included a pollinator risk assessment as part of its rigorous pesticide Registration Review process, as well as for new pesticide registrations. We support this process and once we have reviewed the full PID, we look forward to a robust public comment period.
Farmers depend on and protect bees and other pollinators, which are essential for their crops. Many farmers are beekeepers themselves and go to great lengths to provide habitat and forage for bee colonies, such as planting wildflowers around their cropland. As farmers grow and protect their crops, neonics are a protective and effective tool to prepare seeds for healthy growth. In urban and suburban settings, professionals and consumers rely on neonics to protect homes, control bed bugs, and manage destructive invasive insects such as the emerald ash borer.

Studies performed around the world demonstrate that neonics are effective in controlling harmful insects in agricultural and non-agricultural settings, with no unreasonable adverse effects on pollinator health when used according to label instructions.

Regulatory Alerts

Field to Market Pest Management Trends Report Released
Field to Market released a pest management trend report on February 18. The report analyzes barriers to progress and presents available solutions for the food and agriculture value chain to take collective action to advance responsible pest management. To view the official press release and the full report click here. 

Worker Protection Standard (WPS)

On November 2015 USEPA revised the worker protection standards to implement more protection for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. Most of the revised WPS standards became effective on January 2018.  The WPS requires commercial pesticide handler employers to provide specific information and protections to workers, handlers when WPS-labeled pesticide products are used on agricultural establishments in the production of agricultural plants.  Additional resources on Worker ...more

South Dakota Launches New Sensitive Crop Registry 

 

 The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) announced a new partnership with FieldWatch, Inc. to introduce a new sensitive crop registry that will enhance communication between applicators and producers in South Dakota. FieldWatch is a not-for-profit company with existing registries in multiple states across the country. The new partnership will facilitate increased awareness and communication as part of ongoing stewardship activities.     Read More...

 

Items of Interest

February 20, 2020

Fertilizer Recommendation Guide by SDSU

SDSU Extension fertilizer recommendations are based on field research in South Dakota and neighboring states. However, information from outside this region is used where only limited local data was available. The tables were developed as part of continuing cooperation between these states to standardize recommendations across the three-state area.  Statements that clarify or modify the recommendations are listed in each crop nutrient recommendation section.

The Fertilizer Recommendations Guide (formerly EC750 by Jim Gerwing and Ron Gelderman, 2005) is the source for soil fertility recommendations in South Dakota. The updated version meets federal accessibility guidelines with updated text and formatting but the recommendations were not changed.

DOWNLOAD:  Fertilizer Recommendation Guide

 February 19, 2020

Proposed Spring Load Restriction for 2020

Spring Load Restrictions in South Dakota can be placed on state highways between Feb. 15 – April 30, 2020. A map of proposed spring load restrictions is posted at: https://dot.sd.gov/travelers/of-interest/spring-load-restrictions and on the SDDOT’s 5-1-1 website https://www.safetravelusa.com/sd/. The effective date of the load restrictions is determined by weather and road conditions. When restrictions go into effect, a notice will be sent out and posted on the spring load restriction page of the Department of Transportation website (noted above).

 Individuals can subscribe to an email list to receive Spring Load Limit Restriction information electronically. To subscribe go to: https://listserv.sd.gov/scripts/wa.exe?A0=DOTSPRINGLOADLIMITS

February 13, 2020

FieldWatch Adds Industrial Hemp to Its Registry of Sensitive CropsFieldWatch’s board of directors decided to add hemp to the DriftWatch® sensitive crop registry in response to many requests received from departments of agriculture in states that have legalized the production of industrial hemp following the 2018 Farm Bill. As an organization whose mission is to bring together diverse agriculture stakeholders, FieldWatch is now making it possible for hemp growers to benefit from our technology tools. This step was well received, as 17 of our 22 states and Saskatchewan already decided to add hemp to their sensitive crop list. You can find more information about this development in our press release and in this AgWeb article.