There has been a 50 percent increase in pesticide misuse complaints in Iowa this year, according to Iowa State University (ISU) Extension weed specialist Bob Hartzler. Through July 2, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship was processing 121 agriculture-related pesticide misuse investigations, compared to 82 such complaints at the same time last year.

“The significant increase in pesticide misuse cases during the first part of the growing season indicates a pesticide stewardship problem,” said Hartzler. “The wet weather in many areas of the state undoubtedly restricted available hours to complete field spraying; however, falling behind does not make it acceptable to apply pesticides during inappropriate conditions.”

The majority of...