What You Need to Know About the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Registration of New Dicamba Over-The-Top (OTT) Products

Dicamba is back — and this time, it comes with a longer list of rules. After years of regulatory scrutiny, the EPA has reapproved dicamba for use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. That is good news for growers who rely on it as a critical tool for managing tough, hard-to-control weeds, but the reapproval comes with more requirements and more restrictions than before.

If you’re looking to spray dicamba this summer, understanding what has changed is essential. Success this season will require planning ahead, selecting the right adjuvant systems and understanding what the new label requires. 

The Current Over-The-Top Dicamba Landscape

OTT Dicamba is a valuable herbicide tool for managing a wide range of weeds in dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. With the recent approval of new products, growers once again have access to products that, when used correctly, can make a real difference in weed control programs.

With that being said, the new labels are far more detailed and restrictive than previous OTT dicamba product labels, and compliance is not optional. 

Here are some of the key changes:

• The Volatility Reduction Agent (VRA) rate that must be added to every application is now 40 oz/A (unless otherwise specified for a particular qualified VRA on an OTT dicamba product website).
• Only VRAs indicated as “qualified” on OTT dicamba product websites can be used.
• The maximum dicamba application rate has been cut in half; the new dicamba application rate is to 0.5 lb/A per application, and there is a total annual limit of 1 lb/A.
• Stricter record-keeping requirements before, during and after application.
• Temperature-based application limits.
• Mandatory conservation practices and mitigation requirements related to runoff and drift.

The reapproval window is two years, after which the EPA will reassess the product again. The bottom line for growers: OTT dicamba is available and it is a useful tool, but using it successfully this season means understanding the new requirements.  Note that earlier OTT dicamba registrations that were cancelled remain cancelled and cannot be sold or used; only the newly approved products can be sold and used at this time.

Required Adjuvants: VRAs and DRAs

One of the most important changes for the new products is that every dicamba tank mix must now include both an approved VRA and a Drift Reduction Agent (DRA) as specified on the product labeling. The good news for growers is our adjuvant portfolio is well-equipped to meet this requirement. 

Our Innovation Center team provides the data and insights to showcase the performance of our WinField United adjuvants, helping you feel confident your tank mix is optimized. When the new OTT dicamba registrations came out, our team at the Innovation Center tested oil emulsion DRAs (the type required by the new labels) across five different nozzle types with unmatched speed.

At the end of the day, a high-quality drift reduction agent is one of the best standard practices regardless of whether dicamba is in the tank. Many of the adjuvants that deliver exceptional agronomic results in drift reduction also are the ones that are required to be used as DRAs for dicamba acres, so there is no reason to treat this as an added burden; it is just good agronomy.

WinField United DRA and VRA Options

• The Lock brand family of products, including InterLock^® adjuvant, StrikeLock^® adjuvant, MasterLock^® adjuvant and SuperLock^® adjuvant are all oil emulsion type DRAs and therefore can be used with OTT dicamba under the new registrations.
• VRA options are slightly more limited, with Volt-Edge^® adjuvant being one of the primary approved options.

There also is a silver lining in these new regulations: tank-mix options have opened up considerably compared to previous OTT dicamba product labels. Where growers were once forced into a narrow set of approved options, the updated guidelines allow for a wider range of choices, and this means better agronomic outcomes are now available for those who take advantage of them.

Pre-Spray Checklist: What to Do Before You Apply Dicamba This Summer

Unlike many herbicide applications, spraying dicamba is not a decision you can make on the day you want to apply. The requirements and planning involved mean you need to start well in advance. Here are some of the things that you will need to work through before you ever fill the tank:

Plan ahead — this is not a game-day decision.

• Dicamba requires training, pre-application website checks and label compliance steps that cannot be rushed. Get organized ahead of time.

Start with the label and read it carefully.

• Dicamba's label is far more specific than most other herbicide labels, covering temperature and humidity windows, required adjuvants, restricted buffer areas and more. Know what it says before you spray.

Verify your adjuvant system qualifies.

• Confirm you have a qualified VRA and the right kind of DRA in every tank mix, in the correct proportions. 

Understand your water situation.

• Dicamba, like glyphosate and glufosinate, is a weak-acid herbicide that is susceptible to the negative effects of hard water. Ammonium sulfate (AMS) is not permitted on dicamba acres. WinField United offers several non-AMS water conditioners, such as Class Act^® Ridion^® adjuvant, to help manage water quality and protect herbicide efficacy.

Fit dicamba into your entire herbicide program.

• Dicamba does not operate by itself. A strong program starts with a pre-herbicide foundation. Consider full tank-mix compatibility, stewardship requirements for all products in the mix and how dicamba fits into your overall weed management strategy for the season.

Work with your WinField United Agronomist to set a plan.

• With their expertise, Innovation Center-backed data and adjuvant solutions to support every acre, your WinField United agronomist is here to help you navigate this season and do it right.

Looking Ahead: How the Landscape May Evolve

Dicamba will remain a highly regulated herbicide for the foreseeable future. Growers who make it a regular part of their weed-management programs need to stay closely familiar with label requirements, not just this season, but on an ongoing basis.

While dicamba is a powerful tool in the fight against tough, problematic weeds and its reapproval is great news for growers who need it, the new regulatory environment demands a high level of diligence. Labels must be read. Training must be completed. Websites must be checked. And the right adjuvant systems must be in the tank.

The upside? Growers who approach dicamba applications the right way this season will have access to better agronomic options than they have had in years. When in doubt, reach out to your WinField United representative for the expertise you need to navigate the new dicamba labels. 

All photos are either the property of WinField United or used with permission. 

© 2026 WinField United. Important: This communication and the information contained herein are provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the product’s EPA-approved labeling or as the sole basis for making application decisions. Before use always read and follow label instructions. Because requirements for drift reduction agents (DRA) and volatility reduction agents (VRA) are subject to change, users must check the respective dicamba manufacturer’s website for the most current list of approved products within 7 days of application. WinField United makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information for any specific application. Crop performance is dependent on several factors many of which are beyond the control of WinField United, including without limitation, soil type, pest pressures, agronomic practices and weather conditions. Growers are encouraged to consider data from multiple locations, over multiple years and to be mindful of how such agronomic conditions could impact results. Class Act, InterLock, MasterLock, Ridion, StrikeLock, SuperLock, Volt-Edge and WinField are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.