US environmental regulators just approved a new pesticide, fluindapyr, for use on soybeans. This means farmers can now use this specific chemical on their soybean crops.
Why it matters
Every new pesticide approval means a new chemical enters the food supply and the environment. These approvals are often incremental, but they add up over time, changing the chemical landscape of agriculture. This particular approval expands the tools available to soybean farmers for pest control.
The signal
Watch for data on the actual usage rates of fluindapyr on soybeans in the next few growing seasons, and any subsequent reports on its environmental impact.