ADVOCACY ALERT - MSMA: TPI is seeking public comments from sod producers on MSMA Herbicide. Many uses of MSMA were cancelled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2009, and its use in sod production is still currently registered as conditional. However, MSMA remains an important post-emergence herbicide for sod producers managing grasses and sedges in warm-season turfgrass systems, particularly when pre-emergence herbicide programs break down during mid- to late-summer conditions. As a result, it plays a critical role in maintaining sod quality and marketability. An industry group is working on a registration package for submittal to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs seeking permanent registration for the current turf uses that are conditionally registered. Additionally, they will be applying to have some of the turf uses that were cancelled in 2009 restored to the label. Those are additional rights of way (utility, railroad, etc), parks & athletic fields, residential & commercial lawn care by professional applicators. If you use MSMA and would like to submit public comment on behalf of the sod production industry, please contact Casey Reynolds, PhD at [email protected] or (919) 907-8238. Support letters are due June 12th.