The dry pattern this fall may have reduced winter annual weed emergence, and we don’t appear to be headed into an overly wet pattern. It’s possible that weed populations are low and may not merit a fall application, although there are always more weeds out there than we think.

Growing — even in climates with a cold winter — is less about seasons and more about keeping the water, nutrient and carbon cycles turning to your advantage.

The proposed rules would reduce the concentration equivalent level of concern equivalent from 15 parts per billion to 3.4 parts per billion, reduce atrazine usage to a maximum of 2 pounds per acre per year, prohibit aerial spraying, and ban atrazine applications to saturated soils, as well as within 48 hours of forecasted heavy precipitation.

The company’s own tests also show that their patented high-frequency weed control uses just a fifth of the energy of herbicides, on a per hectare basis.

The verdict is notable for two reasons: it's the fifth consecutive such jury trial the chemical manufacturer has one involving Roundup and its active ingredient, glyphosate, and the first such trial involving multiple defendants.

Comments will now be accepted until Oct. 7. They had been slated to close in September, according to EPA documents.