Tight Agriculture Chemical Supply, High Prices Could Impact 2022 Growing Season Purdue Researchers Say

Oct 26, 2021

Supply chain disruptions and material shortages are fueling speculation about a herbicide shortage for the 2022 agriculture growing season. Bill Johnson, Purdue professor of weed science and Purdue Extension weed specialist, is encouraging producers to plan to minimize the impact on corn and soybean production in the Midwest.

Glyphosate (Roundup) and glufosinate (Liberty) are the two main active ingredients that potentially may be in short supply for the next growing season.

Allan W. Gray, executive director of the Purdue University Center for Food and Agricultural Business, said “Flooding, COVID-19 outbreaks and congested ports disrupted production and exports in China for months, resulting in chemical manufactures rationing supply.”

Johnson warns, “Plan your upcoming weed control strategies to accommodate for limited availability because of supply or price of these two active ingredients. Even if there isn’t a widespread shortage, farmers will likely encounter higher chemical prices resulting in major challenges for corn and soybean production.”

In a recent article, Marcelo Zimmer, Purdue weed science specialist; Bryan Young, Purdue professor of weed science; and Johnson outlined weed control considerations based on types of tillage systems.

Source : SEEDWORLD

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.