By Blake Jackson
Just as growers finalize plans for the 2026 season, new developments in herbicide regulations are reshaping application strategies. On February 6, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted federal registration for three dicamba products-Engenia, Stryax, and Tavium for use in XtendFlex soybean systems. The approval is conditional for two years, and each product must still receive individual state registration before it can be sold or applied.
Engenia is produced by BASF, Stryax is Bayer’s updated brand name for the former Xtendimax, and Tavium is a Syngenta premix combining dicamba with S-metolachlor. Although the finalized federal labels have not yet been released publicly, several updated use requirements have been outlined.
Applications are limited to two per year at 0.5 pounds of dicamba acid equivalent per acre, not to exceed one pound total annually. A volatility-reducing agent must be included at 40 ounces per acre double the previous rate and a drift-reduction agent is also mandatory.
Ammonium sulfate cannot be added to the tank mix. Applicators must use nozzles that generate coarse droplets or larger to minimize off-target movement.
Temperature restrictions are also in place. When conditions range from 85 to 95°F, only half of a farm’s XtendFlex soybean acres may be treated, with a required two-day interval before spraying the remainder. Applications are prohibited when temperatures exceed 95°F.
Engenia and Stryax may be used through the R1 growth stage, while Tavium has a V4 cutoff. All products are classified as Restricted Use Pesticides, requiring annual specialized training and adherence to ESA-PULA conservation guidelines.
Photo Credit: istock-sandramatic
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Soybeans