The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) has been engaged in water resource protection issues related to three herbicides, isoxaflutole (BALANCE PRO Herbicide), alachlor (LASSO), and atrazine. Concerns include the potential for human health effects, environmental impacts, and deliterious effects on non-target agricultural crops due to groundwater and surface water contamination resulting from actual or proposed use of these herbicides. It is WDATCP’s responsibility to mitigate the risks of pesticide use while allowing beneficial uses if possible.

Wisconsin growers have used alachlor and atrazine for over 30 and 40 years respectively. Significant groundwater monitoring efforts conducted over the last 17 years provides a solid picture of alachlor and atrazine use related impacts from which WDATCP develops management strategies. BALANCE PRO Herbicide, on the other hand, is a relatively new herbicide product which WDATCP has not registered for use in Wisconsin though it is conditionally registered in 18 other states. WDATCP has relied primarily on data generated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support its registration decision regarding BALANCE PRO Herbicide. This paper will touch on recent developments which will or may affect the use of these three herbicides.