What's New With The Florida Organo-Auxin Rule?

What’s New With The Florida Organo-Auxin Rule?

The Florida Organo-Auxin Rule (5E-2.033) has been in place for several decades. The purpose of this rule is to place additional restrictions and recordkeeping requirements on the use of auxin herbicides (such as 2,4-D, dicamba, and triclopyr) to help prevent drift and off-site movement. This class of herbicides is effective at very low doses, so there is an increased risk of non-target damage, if not used properly. Keeping the proper records, using proper techniques, and staying aware of drift is the goal of this rule. This rule is important but, What’s new with the Florida Organo Auxin Rule?

What’s New?

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) altered this rule in the Fall of 2021. First there was an edit to paragraph 5 that removes maximum pressure language. Previous wording said that “application pressures shall not exceed 35 pounds per square inch”. This was originally included because high pressure would create very small droplets that are more likely to drift. However, new nozzle types that incorporate air induction technology can require a minimum of 30 pounds per square inch to work properly, and 60 pounds is optimal. Although the pressure is higher in with these new nozzles, the droplet size is not as fine (small) as with previous technology. Given the new technology pressure is not the concern, its droplet size, so removing that pressure was prudent.

Another addition is that auxin herbicides applied as a basal bark, cut stump, hack and squirt, granular, or subsurface aquatic treatment is exempt from the requirements listed in the Rule. These treatment methods do not produce small droplets or spray in a way that is likely to drift. Because these methods reduce the likelihood of drift, the goal of the organo-auxin rule, they were exempted.

What Now?

However, most of this Rule has stayed the same. The minimum distance requirements from susceptible crops have not changed. The recordkeeping requirements are still in place if more than 5 acres is being treated, as well as the requirements for documenting wind speed. So, if you are planning an auxin application, be prepared to review this rule and document your actions appropriately.

The Organo-Auxin Rule is important for Florida and is still in place. Now that you know what’s new with the Florida Organo-auxin rule, you can see the only changes were to modernize the language and provide greater flexibility for novel application techniques. For review here is the Florida Organo-Auxin Rule.

Author Dr. Jason Ferrell is a Professor at the University of Florida. He serves as Director for the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants and the Pesticide Information Office.