The Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) recently submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supporting ...

The Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) recently submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supporting a request from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture for an emergency exemption to use the herbicide metamitron on sugar beets. This exemption is essential for combating Palmer amaranth, an aggressive weed that threatens the viability of Nebraska's sugar beet industry. Below are the key reasons for our support.

Why We Support the Emergency Exemption Request

Palmer amaranth has become increasingly resistant to standard herbicides, including glyphosate, and severely threatens sugar beet fields in Nebraska. Without metamitron, sugar beet farmers face substantial yield losses, which could impact the profitability of family farms and the economies of local communities that rely on agriculture. The EPA recently approved select metamitron use, and farmers saw successful results. Because of this, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) requested the use of a new metamitron-based chemical to help the issue due to:

1. Urgency of the Issue: Palmer amaranth is spreading quickly across Nebraska, and existing herbicides are no longer effective. Metamitron would provide sugar beet farmers an effective tool to control this invasive weed.
2. Economic Impact: Uncontrolled, Palmer amaranth can reduce crop yields by more than 20%, making sugar beet production economically unsustainable for many farmers. Approving this exemption would help farmers maintain profitability and protect rural economies.
3. Limited Alternatives: Current herbicide options are ineffective for Nebraska's specific conditions. Research by local experts has demonstrated that metamitron works effectively against Palmer amaranth when used as a pre-emergent application.
4. Commitment to Environmental Stewardship: The exemption request includes safeguards to ensure metamitron is used responsibly, minimizing risks to nearby ecosystems. These precautions reflect NEFB's commitment to balancing agricultural needs with environmental stewardship.

How to Submit Your Own Comments

If you wish to submit comments in support of this exemption, please do so through the Federal eRulemaking Portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 12. This exemption would provide a crucial tool to help Nebraska's sugar beet farmers protect their crops and livelihoods. We encourage members to participate in this important opportunity to advocate for Nebraska agriculture.

We are thankful that the Nebraska Department of Agriculture is addressing the needs of farmers in the state and advocating for them to the federal government. While they are a regulatory agency, the current administration understands the agricultural community's needs and their importance to the state. Palmer amaranth remains a significant problem, and we are grateful the Nebraska Department of Agriculture is helping us fight the issue.

Details about this matter may be found in the federal register. As always, if you have any questions, please contact Kole Pederson, Director of Environmental & Regulatory Affairs, at [email protected].