ESA Rules Reshape Pesticide Labels for Growers

February 26, 2026

As Commodity Classic rolls on in San Antonio, growers are getting a closer look at one of the biggest regulatory shifts shaping the 2026 season—real-time changes to pesticide labels driven by the federal Endangered Species Act.

According to industry experts, what’s different today is how quickly Endangered Species Act requirements are being written directly onto pesticide labels. Terry Kippley, President and CEO, Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) explains that labels are now including specific mitigation steps tied to endangered species protections—and since labels are the law, growers need to understand those requirements before heading to the field. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now required to include those mitigations, making compliance a moving target for applicators.

Bill Smith, Strategic Marketing Manager at Helena Agri-Enterprises and a CFDA ESA Communications Co-Chair, says involvement beyond products is critical. He notes that companies must stay engaged on the policy side so sales teams can bring accurate, up-to-date information directly to the farm gate—helping growers stay compliant while protecting performance.

One of the most overlooked parts of ESA compliance, they say, is happening inside the spray tank. Adjuvants and drift-reduction technologies are increasingly essential tools. Kippley points to Liberty Ultra as an example, where a mandatory 10-foot downwind buffer can be eliminated by adding an approved drift-reduction adjuvant—offering both agronomic benefits and regulatory relief.

For more details on ESA-driven label changes and the tools that support compliance, precision, and performance this season, visit the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology's website at www.cpda.com.

Source: Ag Information Network/Western Ag Network