Dicamba Returns Under Watch

For cotton growers heading into this season, there is some long-awaited news out of Washington. After years of uncertainty, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has officially announced that Dicamba will once again be available for over-the-top applications this year. That decision follows previous registrations that were twice vacated by federal courts, leaving farmers searching for options.

The National Cotton Council of America says it is pleased with the announcement, calling it a positive step toward stability for growers who depend on the herbicide to manage resistant weeds. EPA officials say the approval comes with added oversight. The agency plans to closely monitor the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons, reviewing reports of off-target damage and collecting environmental data to evaluate how well new protections perform in the field.

According to the EPA, this is not a permanent decision. The agency says the registration could be withdrawn again if the safeguards do not work as intended. For now, the Cotton Council says growers welcome the opportunity to move forward this season while continued monitoring helps guide future decisions.