Public Notice: Submit Comments by April 29 for Lorox® DF Use on Carrots

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting comments through April 29, 2025 for a proposed special pesticide registration to control weeds in carrots. The special registration proposed by DATCP is for Lorox^® DF herbicide, which is manufactured by Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. and contains the active ingredient linuron.

Lorox^® DF is currently registered for use in carrots and other crops in Wisconsin, but not in sandy soils, which is why a special registration is necessary. The special registration would allow carrot growers to control broadleaf weeds, especially common ragweed and Eastern black nightshade. These weeds have become a problem in Wisconsin carrot production in recent years, particularly in the Central Sands area, where pesticide options are limited. Nightshade also produces poisonous berries that present a hazard in harvesting a food crop.

The special registration would also impose restrictions on where Lorox^® DF may be applied when the depth to groundwater is less than 30 feet, depending on the amount of organic matter in the soil.

This is the second special registration of Lorox^® DF, with a proposed registration expiration of December 31, 2029. No reports of adverse effects were received during the previous registration.

The preliminary environmental assessment indicates that the proposed registration will not require a full environmental assessment. Comments received on or before 4:30 p.m. on April 29, 2025 will become part of the preliminary environmental assessment record. Copies of the assessment can be requested, and comments may be submitted by mail to Alyssa Foss, DATCP, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI, 53708-8911; or by email to alyssa.foss@wisconsin.gov.

More Information

The special registration process allows states to register additional uses of pesticide products other than those listed on their labels, without prior federal approval. It helps growers address local pest problems that cannot be adequately controlled by any available federally registered product. These problems include insect outbreaks, fungal diseases, and grasses and weeds that outcompete crops. For more information visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/SpecialPesticideRegistrations.aspx.