News Release
July 23, 2024
MDA Declares Crisis Exemption for Insecticide Use Against Armyworms in Missouri Rice
Exemption went into effect July 18 and will extend through Sept. 30.
Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn has declared a Crisis Exemption through Section 18 of the EPA’s Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). MDA received EPA concurrence for the crisis declaration, allowing the use of Intrepid 2F® Insecticide to mitigate armyworms in Missouri rice.
The Crisis Exemption went into effect July 18 in the following Missouri counties: Butler, Stoddard, Pemiscot, Dunklin, New Madrid, Mississippi, Ripley, Bollinger, Scott, Cape Girardeau and Perry. The Department will submit a Specific Exemption application to the EPA to extend the exemption through Sept. 30, 2024.
An estimated 60,000 acres of Missouri rice will experience fall armyworm populations that may require use of Intrepid 2F® insecticide. It is believed the rapid influx of fall armyworms in southeast Missouri is due to the recent winds associated with Hurricane Beryl.
The application rate to be used is four- to eight- fluid ounces per acre, depending on infestation levels. Up to two applications may be applied to each rice field from July 18 to Sept. 30. Applicators must have the Intrepid 2F® FIFRA Section 18 Emergency Exemption label in their possession when applying.
The FIFRA is the Federal statute that governs the registration, distribution, sale and use of pesticides in the United States. Section 18 states the EPA may exempt any Federal or State agency from any provision of FIFRA if the EPA Administrator determines the emergency conditions require such an exemption.
Learn more about pesticide control here and learn more about plant pests here.
Contact MDA’s Plant Industry team with questions at (573) 751-5504.
To learn more about the Department and its programs, visit agriculture.mo.gov.