Agronomic Insights, Crop Protection, Research and Development
What You Need to Know About the EPA Herbicide Strategy
On August 20, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Herbicide Strategy, calling it an “unprecedented step” toward protecting more than 900 federally endangered and threatened species from the potential impacts of herbicide use.
At WinField® United, we’ve worked closely with industry associations, scientific organizations and our retail partners to advocate that the EPA’s decisions were grounded in sound science and that practical, workable solutions made it to the field. We will continue these efforts while providing the clarity, support and actionable insights you need.
As the first year of working under this new strategy wraps up, we know you still may have questions about how these changes will affect your operations. Here is an update and overview to help you prepare for 2026.
According to the EPA, the final strategy uses the most updated information and processes to determine whether an herbicide will impact a listed species and identify protections to address any impacts. Over time, all crop protection products will carry this language. The Insecticide Strategy was finalized this spring, and the Fungicide Strategy is still in development.
We currently see only a couple of labels that show the ESA language, and more than likely, it is not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the risk bucket and the characteristics of the product, you may see different mitigations for drift and runoff as well as varying buffer lengths. How it is executed on each label may also be a little bit different.
As new products come out, I recommend doing a little homework by reading the label and familiarizing yourself with the new language. We recommend doing this ahead of the season, not when you are ready to go out and spray. No one likes surprises, especially when you are on a deadline. There might be some additional steps, such as paperwork, that you will have to complete. But again, start by building familiarity with the changes.
Next, you may have to implement additional mitigation measures, such as spray buffers or conservation practices, to minimize environmental impact. Help yourself get ahead by characterizing your fields and identifying any existing practices that qualify as mitigations. We assume, for many growers, your fields may already check most of the boxes for the points needed.
If you need a drift mitigation option for herbicides affected by the ESA, SuperLock adjuvant fits the bill. This novel, single formulation combines a high surfactant crop oil concentrate with proprietary drift reduction technology. It is one of the only products on the market with this combination.
Our team is proud of the work that has gone into creating SuperLock adjuvant and the way it completes the “Lock” family of products. One of our goals was to provide another product that meets label requirements while effectively tackling the challenge of drift management. From an ESA standpoint, SuperLock adjuvant fits in the oil emulsion category, which is a DRA category currently approved under the Herbicide Strategy. This makes it a valuable tank-mix tool to help manage drift for many growers.
• Bulletins Live! Two: EPA’s official site for bulletins and ESA requirements.
• The ABCs of ESA: An overview of key terms, concepts and what the strategy means for growers.
• Mitigation Menu | US EPA: A key source for understanding the details of mitigation practices; also includes runoff and spray drift calculators.
For more personal guidance, talk with your local advisor. They can help you sort through the details and find solutions that work for you.
All photos are the property of WinField United or used with permission.
© 2025 WinField United. Important: Before use always read and follow label instructions. 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. SuperLock and WinField are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
At WinField® United, we’ve worked closely with industry associations, scientific organizations and our retail partners to advocate that the EPA’s decisions were grounded in sound science and that practical, workable solutions made it to the field. We will continue these efforts while providing the clarity, support and actionable insights you need.
As the first year of working under this new strategy wraps up, we know you still may have questions about how these changes will affect your operations. Here is an update and overview to help you prepare for 2026.
Strategy Overview
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been in place since the 1970s; but in April 2022, the EPA began outlining its plan to meet ESA requirements. The primary focus has been on managing spray drift and runoff to reduce the risk of exposure to endangered species. The draft Herbicide Strategy was released in 2023 and finalized in 2024. The new ESA language must now be included on labels beginning with new active ingredients and as actives are re-registered.According to the EPA, the final strategy uses the most updated information and processes to determine whether an herbicide will impact a listed species and identify protections to address any impacts. Over time, all crop protection products will carry this language. The Insecticide Strategy was finalized this spring, and the Fungicide Strategy is still in development.
Impacts on Growers
While there may be implications, this isn’t a fire drill. Not all product labels are immediately subject to the ESA or have the ESA language. It’s an ongoing integration process tied to new products and re-registration.We currently see only a couple of labels that show the ESA language, and more than likely, it is not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the risk bucket and the characteristics of the product, you may see different mitigations for drift and runoff as well as varying buffer lengths. How it is executed on each label may also be a little bit different.
As new products come out, I recommend doing a little homework by reading the label and familiarizing yourself with the new language. We recommend doing this ahead of the season, not when you are ready to go out and spray. No one likes surprises, especially when you are on a deadline. There might be some additional steps, such as paperwork, that you will have to complete. But again, start by building familiarity with the changes.
Next, you may have to implement additional mitigation measures, such as spray buffers or conservation practices, to minimize environmental impact. Help yourself get ahead by characterizing your fields and identifying any existing practices that qualify as mitigations. We assume, for many growers, your fields may already check most of the boxes for the points needed.
A Simple Solution to Help Boost Herbicide Performance
We have a long history of developing solutions for growers, such as drift-reducing adjuvants (DRAs). Add in advanced analytical tools and a team of experts with deep knowledge of spray droplets and drift, and you have the foundation for our latest innovation: SuperLock™ adjuvant.If you need a drift mitigation option for herbicides affected by the ESA, SuperLock adjuvant fits the bill. This novel, single formulation combines a high surfactant crop oil concentrate with proprietary drift reduction technology. It is one of the only products on the market with this combination.
Our team is proud of the work that has gone into creating SuperLock adjuvant and the way it completes the “Lock” family of products. One of our goals was to provide another product that meets label requirements while effectively tackling the challenge of drift management. From an ESA standpoint, SuperLock adjuvant fits in the oil emulsion category, which is a DRA category currently approved under the Herbicide Strategy. This makes it a valuable tank-mix tool to help manage drift for many growers.
Helpful Resources
If you have questions or want to become more familiar with the final Herbicide Strategy, these resources are a great place to start:• Bulletins Live! Two: EPA’s official site for bulletins and ESA requirements.
• The ABCs of ESA: An overview of key terms, concepts and what the strategy means for growers.
• Mitigation Menu | US EPA: A key source for understanding the details of mitigation practices; also includes runoff and spray drift calculators.
For more personal guidance, talk with your local advisor. They can help you sort through the details and find solutions that work for you.
All photos are the property of WinField United or used with permission.
© 2025 WinField United. Important: Before use always read and follow label instructions. 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. SuperLock and WinField are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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