The U.S. EPA has introduced the strictest control measures for the use of top-spraying on wheatgrass, effective for the next two growing seasons.

Published Feb 11, 2026

Tridge summary

Core tip: According to a report from the Chinese website of the World Agrochemicals Network, on February 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the most stringent protective measures in the agency's history for the over-the-top (OTT) application of dicamba on dicamba-resistant cotton and soybean crops. This decision aims to respond to the strong calls from U.S. cotton and soybean growers, especially those in the Cotton Belt. They pointed out that herbicide-resistant weeds (such as Palmer amaranth) have become difficult to control with other existing methods, severely threatening crop yields and farm livelihoods, hence the urgent need to retain the tool of dicamba OTT application.

Original content

This policy adjustment focuses on the top-spray application method of Glyphosate. Additionally, the Glyphosate product itself has been on the market and widely used prior to the announcement. The new regulations reflect a balance between ensuring farmers have access to necessary production tools and protecting the environment through the strongest control measures. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasizes that without effective weed control during the growing season, growers may face severe economic losses. The EPA also confirms that the drift and volatility of Glyphosate pose ecological risks, potentially harming sensitive plants and affecting nearby farmland and ecosystems. Therefore, it is crucial to implement unprecedented protective measures. According to the assessment, if used strictly according to the new label instructions, the top-spray application of Glyphosate will not pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. To directly address ...

Source: Foodmate