ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 22, 2009

EPA OKAYS HERBICIDE FOR KOCHIA IN FLAX

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said Wednesday, that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved his request for a Section 18 specific exemption for Spartan 4F®, enabling North Dakota flax producers to apply the herbicide to control kochia and ALS-resistant kochia.

“Dry conditions in central and western North Dakota have allowed kochia to flourish in recent years,” Goehring said. “Growers are also finding that much of the kochia is now resistant to herbicides that inhibit ALS (acetolactate synthase), thus limiting the options growers have for controlling the weed.”

Goehring said kochia can reduce flax yields by an estimated 25 to 50 percent if it is left uncontrolled.

The exemption allows a single ground application of 3 to 8 fluid ounces of Spartan 4F per acre, depending on soil type. The application must be made up to 30 days before and three days after planting.

Applicators must follow all directions, restrictions and precautions on both the Section 18 use directions and the EPA- registered product label. They must have a copy of the Section 18 use directions in their possession during application.

The exemption allows for treatment of 250,000 acres of flax.

FMC Corp., the manufacturer of Spartan 4F, supported the exemption request.

North Dakota produced 96 percent of the nation’s flax in 2008.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.