What you need to know about EPA's Bulletins Live! Two

How to create up to date "Bulletins Live! Two" based on EPA's Pesticide Use Limitation Area for your field locations.

tractor spraying pesticide in a field
Pesticide application on a wheat field.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a role in implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by overseeing the registration of pesticides, including herbicides. One of the ways EPA is meeting its obligations under the ESA is with online bulletins which serve as an extension of pesticide labels.

The “Bulletins Live! Two” (BLT) website, Bulletins Live! Two -- View the Bulletins | US EPA, helps to ensure the use of pesticides does not jeopardize listed species or adversely impact their designated critical habitat. BLT is the conversion of spatial data; product; application; formulation; and limitation or mitigation language through a Pesticide Use Limitation Area (PULA) into a printable form or bulletin. PULAs are dynamic and can be redrawn at any time.

As pesticide’s active ingredients are re-reviewed by EPA, they will be added to this database. These online bulletins are currently a requirement for certain pesticide labels and will become a requirement for ALL pesticide labels in the future. Beginning in 2024, the bulletin for each pesticide (including herbicides) must be obtained no more than six months prior to the intended application. To generate a bulletin for each of your pesticide applications you will need the following information:

  1. Location (city, county, zip code; address or GPS coordinates)
  2. Application Month and Year (drop down selection with Month and Year) for intended application date.
  3. EPA registration Number - found on the pesticide label as the primary number (different resources are listed below)
    1. Reading Pesticide Labels (epa.gov)
    2. Table 14 – 2024 Weed Control Guide 2024 Weed Guide_Web_NEW_Table14.pdf (msu.edu)
    3. Crop Pesticide Label Database (cdms.net)

This information is input into the BLT website and an updated bulletin is generated. Two examples are shown below.

Example 1 - No PLUA Limitations

Dual II Magnum (s-metolachlor + safener) herbicide to be applied in April 2024, preemergence to soybeans, with the closest town of Reese, Michigan. The information was entered into the BLT website. The example results are as follows: No PULA is within your intended pesticide application area and the ‘printable bulletin’ box in the top right corner of the map turns green. Click the "Printable Bulletin" button for a PDF version of the Bulletin to print or save.

Example 1: Values entered into BLT and page one of the generated bulletin for Dual application to soybeans in the Saginaw Valley.

Crook - Reese input.png Crook - Reese data.png

Example 2 - PLUA Limitations

Intrepid (methoxyfenozide) insecticide to be applied to corn in June 2024 in attempt to control European Corn Borer, near Stanton, Michigan. The information was entered into the BLT website. The example results are as follows: PULA exists within your intended pesticide application area and the ‘printable bulletin’ box in the top right corner of the map turns red. Click on any section of the red PULA area. The limitations for the selected area will list the common pesticide name. Click on the "Full Details" button for a PDF version of the Bulletin which expands to include the restrictions/limitations for this insecticide application. Scroll down to the bottom for the green “Printable Bulletin” for a PDF version of the Bulletin to print or save. The limitations and restrictions listed must be followed to apply this insecticide during the intended period.

Example 2: Values entered into BLT and page two of the generated bulletin for Intrepid in Stanton, Michigan, noting the limitations. 

Crook - Stanton input.png Crook - Stanton data.png

This complex conversion of geological, biological and chemical data into a pesticide use limitation program and tool has far reaching implications for pesticide applications, including herbicides. Use the BLT to determine if your pesticide applications would have PULA restrictions. Become familiar with “Bulletins Live! Two,” as pesticides will be continually added to this website. 

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