Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology
The Business Council for Agrotechnology

June 12, 2026

Welcome New Member!

CPDA is pleased to welcome new member Stratovation Group

As the business council for agrotechnology, CPDA is pleased to welcome our newest member. Membership support drives CPDA’s advocacy on key issues, including reducing EPA’s PRIA and non-PRIA registration backlogs and advancing science-based Endangered Species Act solutions.

Stratovation Group is an agricultural strategy firm that serves clients in the crop production sector through qualitative and quantitative market research, market consulting and go-to-market strategy, and strategic communications services in both the advocacy and organizational spaces, ranging from advertising, media engagement, strategic planning, brand insights, targeted news release distribution, comprehensive video services, web design, publications services, thought leadership content, crisis planning and media training. Among the firm’s flagship offerings are ongoing research in the agricultural biologicals and agricultural drone sectors.

CPDA-Sponsored Study Highlights Growing Farmer Interest in Biopesticides

CPDA recently highlighted new findings from Stratovation Group’s 2026 Row Crop Biologicals Study, which shows continued growth in farmer interest, confidence and use of biological crop inputs, with biopesticides emerging as a significant area of opportunity.

CPDA was a sponsor of the study, which surveyed 604 row-crop farmers producing corn, soybeans and wheat. The research examined farmer awareness, perceptions, adoption, purchasing behavior, usage patterns and challenges related to biological crop inputs.

Among the key findings, biopesticide use increased by 9 percentage points from the 2024 study, the largest increase recorded since Stratovation Group began tracking biopesticide adoption. The study also found that broad awareness of biologicals, including biopesticides, biofertilizers and biostimulants, remains strong at nearly 90 percent.

The findings come as CPDA continues to build out its Biopesticides Working Group, a member-driven effort focused on better understanding the role of biopesticides in modern agriculture, identifying barriers to broader adoption and supporting practical policies that help bring effective tools to growers.

For CPDA members with an interest in biopesticides, please consider joining the Biopesticides Working Group.



Aren’t a CPDA member yet? Learn more and join.

CPDA on Capitol Hill

CPDA had a productive week on Capitol Hill, engaging with members, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders on several key issues impacting the crop protection value chain.

Throughout the week, CPDA met with member company GROWMARK, connected with members of the International Fresh Produce Association, attended Secretary Brooke Rollins’ hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, participated in the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity, and attended a Farm Bill reception hosted by The Nature Conservancy and the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance.



These engagements help CPDA stay connected to the policy conversations shaping agriculture in Washington and ensure the voice of our members remains part of discussions on regulatory certainty, Farm Bill implementation, conservation, and access to crop protection tools.

Jenny Connor Nelms, The Nature Conservancy; Andrew Walmsley, CPDA; Samantha Buchalter, The Russell Group and Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance; and Ted McKinney, NASDA, at a Farm Bill reception hosted by The Nature Conservancy and the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance.

CPDA Federal & State Regulatory Quarterly Update

CPDA members are invited to join the next CPDA Federal & State Regulatory Quarterly Update on Thursday, June 18, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

David Bower, CPDA State & Regulatory Affairs Chair, and Matthew Faletti, State & Regulatory Affairs Vice Chair, will lead the discussion and provide members with updates on key federal and state regulatory issues impacting the crop protection value chain.

The call will include updates on EPA funding, the Farm Bill, PRIA 6, and EPA’s Draft Fungicide Strategy. Members will also hear the latest from California, including DPR developments and other state regulatory issues raised by CPDA members.

This quarterly update is an important opportunity for CPDA members to stay informed, share concerns, and help shape the association’s engagement on regulatory issues at both the federal and state levels.



CPDA members interested in participating should contact Terry Kippley for the calendar invite and Teams link.

ESA Mitigation: CPDA Advancing Fungicide Strategy Comments

EPA’s Draft Fungicide Strategy includes proposed additional approvals for guar- and oil emulsion-based Drift Reduction Adjuvants (DRAs), expanding their use across herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

Most notably, the proposal includes up to a 50 percent spray drift buffer reduction for guar-based DRAs, providing additional flexibility for growers working to comply with ESA mitigation requirements while maintaining effective crop protection programs. The proposal also expands recognition of oil emulsion DRAs for certain applications.

CPDA’s ESA Technical Committee is developing comments focused on several key areas:

• Revisions to the guar DRA provisions, which are listed in the draft as formulated rates and include different rates based on gallons per acre. To remove variable use rates and account for guar formulation differences, CPDA will recommend a minimum rate of guar solids at 130 ppm in the final tank mixture, which is representative of the data already submitted to EPA.
• Submission of data to support a single rate structure showing that performance is not dependent on gallons per acre.
• Supporting information illustrating commercial use of polyacrylamide DRAs and a proposed process to address EPA’s concerns and gain approval as mitigation options, including an ASTM standard, testing, and label language.
• Supporting documentation that DRAs may be used for aerial applications.
• Comments addressing EPA’s questions on seed treatments.

The draft strategy reflects continued engagement by CPDA and member companies with EPA on practical, workable mitigation options that can be implemented in the field. CPDA will continue working to ensure DRA technologies are evaluated based on sound science, real-world performance, and the need to preserve grower access to effective crop protection tools.

Members with questions or comments as CPDA develops its comments should contact Eric Spandl or Matt Meredith.

ESA Communications Resources: ESA One Pager

As ESA requirements continue to evolve, CPDA is equipping members with practical communications tools designed to help simplify a complex policy conversation for growers.

This week, CPDA is highlighting its ESA one-pager, which provides a concise overview of how drift reduction adjuvants can support on-target applications, stewardship, and ESA compliance planning.

CPDA’s ESA and DRA resources are designed to support a consistent industry message and help members communicate clearly through the trusted voices growers rely on every day, including agronomists and sales teams.



CPDA members can access the ESA one-pager and the full set of DRA communications resources below.

AgriBusiness Global Webinar Featuring CPDA Member gChem: Biologicals and the Potential Impacts of Inerts

CPDA member gChem, in partnership with iFormulate, will present an upcoming webinar, Biologicals and the Potential Impacts of Inerts, on Thursday, June 25, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

As biological products continue to gain interest as part of integrated pest management programs, understanding how inert ingredients may affect product viability, tank-mix performance, and field-level outcomes is increasingly important. The webinar will explore biologicals, market adoption trends, and how inert ingredients can impact biological products both in-tank and in the field.

Featured speakers include Mick Sadoudi, Business Development Director, Agriculture, gChem; Dr. Darryl Ramoutar, Global Technical Director, Agriculture, gChem; and Dr. David Calvert, Director, iFormulate Limited.

Questions for the webinar may be submitted by June 13 to marketing@gchemglobal.com.

Upcoming Industry Events

Until next time….