Corn farmers in Minnesota could soon join their neighbors in using a new herbicide known as “Balance Pro.” The EPA approved the herbicide for most of the Midwest four years ago. At that time, Minnesota – along with Michigan and Wisconsin – rejected it, until more studies could be done. Now those states are reconsidering. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Stephanie Hemphill explains:
Transcript
Corn farmers in Minnesota could soon join their neighbors in using a new
herbicide known as “Balance Pro.” The EPA approved the herbicide for
most of the Midwest four years ago. At that time, Minnesota – along with
Michigan and Wisconsin – rejected it, until more studies could be done.
Now
those states are reconsidering. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s
Stephanie Hemphill explains:
Agriculture officials were worried Balance could pollute water supplies.
They’ve been studying tests on fields where Balance has been applied
over the last four years. They say if it’s only used on heavily organic
soils, and far enough from lakes and rivers, it won’t harm the
environment.
Wisconsin recently approved Balance, but required such stringent
monitoring, the manufacturer, Bayer CropScience, decided not to market
it there.
Minnesota has now approved Balance, also with restrictions. The state
Agriculture Department says having a new weed killer could reduce the
use of other herbicides. And it should help farmers cope with the
resistance some weeds develop when just one chemical is used over and
over.
Environmental activists say they’re pleased the Ag Department is
imposing strict limits on where in Minnesota the new herbicide can be
used.
Michigan is still considering whether to approve Balance.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Stephanie Hemphill in Duluth.