Monday, 17 February 2020 10:36

US farmer wins $411m in weedkiller lawsuit 

Written by  Staff Reporters
The case is the first in the United States to make a ruling on the use of dicamba-based herbicides. The case is the first in the United States to make a ruling on the use of dicamba-based herbicides.

A US farmer has been awarded US$265m (NZ$411m) in a lawsuit against herbicide providers Bayer and BASF.

According to The Wall Street Journal, a Missouri jury handed $15 million in actual and $250 million in punitive damages to the state’s largest peach grower, Bill Bader.

Bader sued Bayer and BASF after claiming his 1,000-acre orchard had been harmed by the companies’ herbicide that had drifted onto his tress from neighbouring farms in 2015 and 2016.

Bader sued the companies, claiming they encourage farmers to spray their dicamba-based herbicides irresponsibly.

The trial lasted three weeks and is the first case in the United States to make a ruling on the use of dicamba-based herbicides.

US farmers have alleged that dicamba-based herbicides can become vapour in some weather conditions. 

They claim the vapour drifting across large distances has caused damage to tens of thousands of acres of cropland.

Bayer says it plans to appeal the verdict, whereas BASF is still to decide its next steps.

More like this

Bayer to settle US-based lawsuits

While courts around the world argue through claims herbicide Roundup is carcinogenic, Bayer has agreed to pay out US$10.9 billion to settle US-based lawsuits.

Featured

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

25 years on - where are they now?

To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.

Rockit Global appoints COO

Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.

National

Machinery & Products

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Keep it up

OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter