CONTACT: Donna Gilson, 608-224-5130, [email protected]
Bill Cosh, Communications Director, 608-224-5020, [email protected]

MADISON – Public comments are open through March 29 on a proposed special pesticide registration that would allow use of Stinger® to control weeds in cranberry marshes.

The registration would help cranberry growers control broadleaf weeds including wild bean, pitchfork (beggars tick), ragweed, asters, clovers, dandelion, narrow-leaved goldenrod, and Joe-pye weed, and thistles. The weeds compete with cranberry plants for light, water, and nutrients, reducing yields and berry size.

Dow AgroSciences LLC is the manufacturer. The active ingredient is clopyralid. Stinger® is registered for use on other crops, tree plantations, pastures, fallow cropland and some non-crop areas, but not for use on cranberries. It is one of the few herbicides that can be used to control broadleaf weeds in cranberry production after they have emerged from the soil. Its use on cranberries was previously allowed under a special registration that expired Dec. 31, 2017 as well as two previous special registrations. The department has not received any reports of adverse effects from the previous special registration.

The preliminary environmental assessment indicates that the proposed registration will not require a full environmental assessment. This special registration will expire December 31, 2022.

For a copy of the assessment, contact Alyssa Foss, DATCP, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI, 53708-8911, 608-224-4547. It is also available for review at the department Monday-Friday, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, second floor. Comments received on or before 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 29, will become part of the preliminary environmental assessment record. Send comments to Alyssa Foss by mail at the above address or by email at [email protected].

The special registration process allows states to register additional uses of pesticide products without prior federal approval. It helps growers address local pest problems that cannot be adequately controlled by any available federally registered product. These problems include insect outbreaks, fungal diseases, and grasses and weeds that outcompete crops. Details about the special registration process are available at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/SpecialPesticideRegistrations.aspx.

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