With the 2024 planting season fast approaching, Bayer is inviting farmers to take dicamba training at its easy-to-use online portal at RoundupReadyXtend.com/Training. Training is required annually for anyone planning to apply approved low-volatility dicamba formulations, like Bayer’s XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology, a restricted use pesticide.
To meet these training requirements, farmers can choose whether they want to go through the online course at their own pace or log on for one of Bayer’s guided webinars, which will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. CT every other Wednesday.
Topics covered in the course include application timing, record keeping, sprayer cleanout, using volatility-reducing adjuvants, determining buffer distances, application conditions specific to certain states, and other dicamba restrictions. It also covers how to check for Pesticide Use Limitation Areas on the EPA Bulletins Live! Two websites as well as best management practices for dicamba application.
The self-guided course typically takes less than an hour, and farmers need only a strong internet connection and an updated browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari are recommended). Farmers and applicators can take the computer-based training any time that is convenient for them — 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
After clicking to begin the course, farmers and applicators have 24 hours to complete it. They do not have to complete it all at once. They can simply register for the course and begin it immediately.
The guided webinar includes Bayer experts explaining what applicators and farmers need to know to apply dicamba products approved for use with Roundup Ready Xtend Technology, including the following products: Bayer’s XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology, BASF’s Engenia herbicide, and Syngenta’s Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology herbicide.
The webinars allow more interactive instruction and offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions and request more information as needed in a virtual class setting. Preregistration is required for the guided online webinars.
“All of us at Bayer are working to help ensure our products are used properly and responsibly so farmers can continue to count on them for generations to come,” said Jennifer Stutz, North American weed management and chemistry stewardship manager for Bayer. “We encourage farmers to visit our website for more training and stewardship resources.”
If farmers would like to request an in-person event, please contact dicamba.training@bayer.com.