Pesticide Updates and Overview | Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Pesticide News & Updates

Updated 11/12/2025

The fall 2025 issue of the Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division (PFMD) newsletter is now available on the MDA website. This biannual newsletter provides information about PFMD events, programs, policies and regulations. To receive an electronic copy of the newsletter directly via email, subscribe here.

Updated 11/04/2025

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) administered a voluntary survey to seed labelers to create a list of where you can buy neonicotinoid- and insecticide-free seed in Minnesota. Company names, locations, and contact information for businesses that volunteered their information about neonicotinoid- and insecticide-free seed options can be found at: List of seed labelers selling insecticide-free seed options.

Updated 10/14/2025

Pesticide-treated seed isn’t categorized as a pesticide product but is considered industrial solid waste. Leftover treated seed must be disposed of properly to minimize contamination of water resources and harm to wildlife. Here is a quick guide on disposing of leftover pesticide-treated seed, including relevant state regulations: what to do with leftover pesticide-treated seed (Minnesota Crop News). For more information, see the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) fact sheet, or contact the MPCA at joshua.burman@state.mn.us.

Updated 9/19/2025

The EPA has finalized two strategies (Herbicides and Insecticides) to protect endangered species. These strategies have resulted in new pesticide label requirements. To help applicators and agricultural landowners understand and implement these changes, the MDA has created a series of webpages focused on the new language.

To learn more about the Endangered Species Act and what the updated label language means for you, visit the MDA’s Pesticides and the Endangered Species Act webpages.

For questions after reviewing the information, please contact us at: PTU.MDA@state.mn.us.

Updated 4/21/2025

The MDA has launched a collection of StoryMaps to share over 30 years of the pesticide water quality monitoring data in an accessible, interactive, and user-friendly format. The StoryMaps allow users to see where pesticides have been detected in Minnesota, find out which pesticides were found at specific sites, compare levels to water quality standards, and track changes in monitoring chemicals over time. Access the StoryMaps. For more information, contact PTU.MDA@state.mn.us.

Updated 4/21/2025

When using pesticides in Minnesota, it’s important to know who to contact when you have questions regarding regulations, registration, or other concerns. The MDA oﬀers specialized resources to help guide pesticide users through the process and ensure compliance with state laws. Here’s a quick guide to who to contact at the MDA for speciﬁc pesticide-related questions: Who to contact at MDA for pesticide questions (University of Minnesota Extension - Minnesota Crop News)

Updated 4/21/2025

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are transforming the way pesticide applicators manage field crops. Using UAVs for pesticide spraying allows applicators to make more precise applications and reduce input costs. However, before you can use a UAV for pesticide application, you’ll need to meet several important license or certification related requirements. Here's what you need to know to get started: Getting Started with UAVs for Pesticide Applications (University of Minnesota Extension - Minnesota Crop News).

Updated 4/17/2025

Dicamba products XtendiMax®, Engenia®, and Tavium®, formerly registered for over-the-top (OTT) use on dicamba-tolerant (DT) soybeans in Minnesota, can no longer be sold, distributed, or used in 2025. Existing stocks can be returned to registrants or properly disposed of through the MDA’s waste pesticide collection program. For more information, visit the MDA’s Dicamba website, or contact us at Pesticide.Registration.MDA@state.mn.us.

Updated 4/17/2025

The herbicide acetochlor, found in products such as Tripleflex, SureStart, Warrant, and Harness, has increasingly been detected above the state’s chronic water quality standard (≈ 3.6ppb) in many rivers and streams in southern Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is reviewing acetochlor monitoring data and is considering whether these waterways should be proposed to the EPA to be added to the impaired waters list. This could affect future acetochlor use in the region. If using acetochlor we encourage you to follow the MDA’s Water Quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Acetochlor (PDF) to protect water quality. For more information, contact PTU.MDA@state.mn.us.

Pesticide Overview

The MDA regulates the sale, use, and disposal of pesticides. The State of Minnesota defines a pesticide as follows:

Pes·ti·cide (noun): a substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate a pest, and a substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant. (MINN. STAT. 18B.01)

Pesticides may be either chemical substances or biological agents, and have a broad range of uses. Pesticides are often used to control weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides), and plant diseases (fungicides). Other pesticides registered for use in Minnesota are chemicals not commonly thought of as pest control agents, such as bleach and antimicrobial household sprays used to sanitize surfaces.

Applicator License

Individuals wishing to apply pesticides commercially or those wishing to apply restricted-use pesticides privately to their agricultural fields must meet certain requirements. To determine the license and certificate type you need, review the Pesticide Applicator License Types.

Selling Pesticides in Minnesota

Pesticides must first be registered by the MDA before they can be sold or distributed in the state. Individuals wishing to sell or distribute pesticides must obtain a Pesticide Dealer License.

Product Registration

Both agricultural pesticides and non-agricultural pesticides must be registered with the MDA before they can be sold or distributed in the state. Product registrations expire December 31 of each year. Renewal applications must be postmarked before January 1 to avoid a penalty fee. The MDA also conducts special registration reviews.

Use Complaints

A team of statewide inspectors is available to conduct routine inspections and enforcement checks, provide compliance assistance and investigate agricultural chemical use complaints. Learn more about the complaint process and access the complaint forms.

Pesticide Management

Pesticide management is guided by a Pesticide Management Plan (PMP) to address impacts to the state's water resources and guide the prevention, evaluation and mitigation of nonpoint source occurrences of pesticides. As part of this the MDA has developed Pesticide Best Management Practices.

Monitoring Agricultural Chemicals in Water

The MDA collects and analyzes water samples from multiple locations throughout the agricultural areas of the state to determine the identity, magnitude of concentration and the frequency of pesticide presence in Minnesota's groundwater and surface water resources. Learn more about agricultural chemical monitoring.