By Andi Anderson
As growers shift away from dicamba in 2025, many are turning to 2,4-D and glufosinate for post-emergence weed control in trained soybean systems like Enlist. One major change this season is the introduction of Liberty Ultra, a reformulated glufosinate product from BASF that offers increased efficacy and new label requirements under EPA rules.
Unlike traditional glufosinate, Liberty Ultra converts inactive D-isomers into active L-isomers, allowing for lower application rates without sacrificing effectiveness. Over time, Liberty Ultra is expected to phase out older Liberty formulations.
Liberty Ultra is also the first herbicide registered under the EPA’s new Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance guidelines. These include strict recordkeeping and location-specific application instructions found in Section 12 of the herbicide label. Growers must download ESA Protection Bulletins from Bulletins Live! Two within six months prior to or on the day of application.
Key application rules from Sections 9–11 of the label include:
- Wind speed must be between 3–15 MPH at release height in open, obstruction-free areas
- A 10-ft. downwind spray buffer is required unless a drift-reducing adjuvant, hooded sprayer, and windbreak are used
- Three runoff mitigation points must be met, with common practices like cover crops or conservation tillage already qualifying in many Ohio counties
- When tank mixing Liberty Ultra with Enlist One, farmers must add an additional adjuvant such as MSO, HSMSO, or HSCOC, as per the Enlist-approved tank-mix list.
These changes aim to reduce off-target movement, protect sensitive species, and improve herbicide safety. More resources on the ESA-compliant label and the EPA’s Herbicide Strategy can be accessed online or through recent educational materials like the War Against Weeds podcast featuring updates from BASF and UPL.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Ohio, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety