Pictured: Racine County farmer Kevin Malchine

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its Herbicide Strategy. This is the plan the agency will use to decide if any restrictions should be added to product labels when registering or renewing an herbicide. These restrictions are “mitigation measures” to stop spray drift or erosion. The farmer would have to do these things in order to use the product. This strategy is how the EPA will comply with the Endangered Species Act and protect about 900 species on the list. Farm groups say that this final strategy is an improved version of what the EPA was working on earlier this year, but there are still issues with the final draft. Kevin Malchine farms about 2,000 acres in Racine County. He also sits on the Growmark Board. He’s been vocal about this strategy, even signing a letter to the EPA saying the framework was not a good idea. He tells us how Wisconsin growers may be impacted at the farm level. Kevin advises farmers to stay aware of this new regulation and stay up to date on the products they’re using to make sure they stay compliant.