August 5, 2011

Milestone (Dow AgroSciences) has become a popular herbicide for rangeland broadleaf control and is used in many pastures. Currently, there are three formulations: Milestone, Milestone VM, and Milestone VM Plus.

Milestone may be used to treat hay used as livestock feed, resulting in concerns about buildup of the pesticide in animal waste. In the past, hay treated with Milestone VM was allowed to be sold as long as the recipient of the hay was notified of concerns about buildup of the pesticide product in animal waste. The two other formulations, Milestone and Milestone VM Plus, required the hay to be used by the producer for his own livestock; off-farm sale was prohibited. Hay from grass sprayed with at least two of the Milestone formulations could only be used by the farmer who grew the hay.

Recently updated supplemental labels for Milestone and Milestone VM Plus now allow for “Hay intended for distribution or sale off the farm or ranch.” These two new supplemental labels allow for Milestone and Milestone VM Plus to be sold off the farm as long as the producer notifies the recipient of concerns about buildup of the product in animal waste.

The Milestone VM label still allows for off-farm sale with proper notification, and specifically states, “Manure and urine from animals consuming treated grass or hay may contain enough aminopyralid to cause injury to sensitive broadleaf plants. Inform the recipient of hay or manure from animals grazing pastures or feeding on hay from areas treated with aminopyralid of the label use precautions and restrictions.”

In summary, all three Milestone formulations can be sold off-farm, as long as the producer possesses the supplemental label and notifies the recipient of concerns about product buildup in the animal waste.

As a side note, the State of Washington does not allow for any hay receiving Milestone application to be sold off of the applicator’s farm.

Pierce Hansen, Extension Assistant
Jan Hygnstrom, Extension Project Manager
Erin Bauer, Extension Associate
Clyde Ogg, Extension Educator
All in Extension Pesticide Education
Buzz Vance, Nebraska Department of Agriculture Pesticide and Fertilizer Registration Specialist