Beginning in 2026, pesticide labels will require a minimum number of mitigation points in order to legally apply the pesticide. These points are gained using the EPA Runoff & Drift Calculator website or an Excel™ type spreadsheet where one selects management choices, production practices, application equipment types, drainage, irrigation, and other practices to receive a score. One must obtain a minimum score provided on the label in order to use the product.

This score will vary and is associated with the EPA’s Registration Number (One cannot use the product active ingredient or common brand name.) When finished using the tool, print or save the results. Without these documents, one is simply out of compliance.

The process requires an intensive knowledge of equipment, site geography, pesticide rates, surrounding landscape characteristics and other pertinent information. As such, the owner/operator of a farm is the most qualified to complete the task. Too, one must use the definitions provided by the EPA for certain practices or terms, not the perceived colloquial definitions.

Attached are two pages that provide step by step guidance for the process. (Both provide the same information. One document is simply a flowchart design and the other more of a step by step listing of directions. Both include hyperlinks to gain access to the correct tool.) For those with many farms and fields in production, it seems prudent to use the tool with inputs showing differing soil types, vegetated buffers/ditches, with/without forested buffers, etc. Save these results. Doing so will allow one to update existing files to make any changes without having to repeat the entire process. If no changes in the minimum score are noted in future labels, one can simply update the file each year and remain in compliance.

Again, results must be saved or printed to be in compliance. Keep the records with your pesticide records. Results should be ready for inspection and must match the exact products you applied. Failure to observe any of these steps will result in noncompliance.

Summary of the Process

• The Tool: An Excel-style spreadsheet or website where you input your specific management, equipment, and field practices to generate a score.
• The Goal: You must meet or exceed the minimum score specified on the pesticide's label (searched by its EPA Registration Number, not brand name).
• Adjusting Restrictions: If your score results in unacceptable buffer zones or restrictions, you can reduce them by adopting practices recommended on the EPA’s Buffer Zone Drift Reduction website.
• Print/Save Before Applying: One must print or save the results before applying the pesticide.
• No Retrospective Compliance: Because printouts are automatically date- and time-stamped by the EPA, you cannot complete this step after application. Doing so results in immediate noncompliance.