The Arkansas Department of Agriculture reminded pesticide applicators and agricultural producers on Mar. 17 about key restrictions for using dicamba products during the 2026 growing season.
This reminder follows new federal registrations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in February, which set national rules for over-the-top dicamba applications on soybeans and cotton but removed all federal cutoff dates. Despite these changes, Arkansas’s state cutoff date of June 30 remains in effect.
From April 16 through June 30, registered in-crop dicamba products may only be applied under specific conditions: a one-mile buffer from university or USDA research stations, a half-mile buffer from certified crops and specialty crops valued at over $25,000 or with at least 1,000 plants, and a quarter-mile buffer from non-dicamba tolerant crops. Glyphosate tank mixes are not allowed. The department said that violators could face civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation as well as possible suspension or revocation of their applicator license.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture manages an agricultural sector contributing more than $24.3 billion annually with about 37,400 farms spanning roughly 13.7 million acres, per the official website. The agency oversees funding through boards that allocate millions for research, extension and market development in commodities such as rice and soybeans, according to the official website.
In addition to regulating pesticides like dicamba, the department promotes access to safe water supplies to enhance economic development and public health according to its official website. It also maintains the Baucum Nursery for statewide reforestation efforts and recognizes outstanding forest management through its annual Forest Stewards of the Year program as reported by the agency.
The department serves as a state government agency focused on resource conservation and industry support according to its official website. It advances conservation efforts through programs addressing water planning, wildfire protection and reforestation while promoting sustainable practices and economic development in Arkansas according to the department.
