A Service of UA Little Rock
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Arkansas Supreme Court Lifts Pause On Dicamba Spraying

Dicamba damage
University of Arkansas

Arkansas’ highest court has blocked a court order that prevented farmers from spraying a controversial weedkiller.

Cotton and soybean farmers in the state haven’t been allowed to spray dicamba for nearly two weeks since the 16th Division of the Pulaski County Circuit Court issued a temporary restraining order against the Arkansas’ rules allowing the herbicide to be sprayed until the end of June.

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a stay of that restraining order, meaning growers can spray, with some restrictions, until the end of the month.

The Arkansas State Plant Board, as it does nearly every year, changed the rules regarding dicamba this year, extending the spraying cutoff date by more than a month. That’s despite research showing dicamba can vaporize in higher temperatures and damage nearby non-tolerant crops.

Despite the new loosening of restrictions, heavy rain throughout Arkansas means growers likely won’t be able to spray until this weekend at the earliest.

Daniel Breen is News Director of Little Rock Public Radio.
Related Content