What is Atrazine?

Atrazine is a selective, broadleaf herbicide that farmers use to control broadleaf weeds and grasses in the production of corn, grain sorghum, sugar cane and other crops. Atrazine was first registered for use in 1959 and EPA recently recommended its re-registration after a comprehensive, 10-year safety review.

Due to its reliable performance and cost-effectiveness, growers feel confident using atrazine. And they value its compatibility with soil-saving conservation tillage and no-till farming.

To produce high-yield crops, farmers must control grasses and broadleaf weeds that rob the crop of water and nutrients. Atrazine protects crops better than other herbicides, because it controls a broad spectrum of weeds but is gentle to the crop itself. And, unlike many other herbicides, farmers can effectively apply atrazine before, during or after planting the crop, or even after crop emergence.

Atrazine is used on well over half of all U.S. corn acreage, about two-thirds of sorghum acreage and as much as 90 percent of U.S. sugar cane.

Atrazine is an economical choice for farmers. Its low cost helps farmers maintain profitability. EPA estimates that atrazine use saves farmers $28 per acre.