Dexter, MO – The owner of Lowrey Farms, Bobby David Lowrey, has been sentenced to home confinement and his company fined for illegally applying pesticides and then attempting to cover up the violations. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and resulting in a guilty plea, highlights the dangers of improper pesticide use and the lengths to which some will go to conceal wrongdoing.
In 2016, Lowrey Farms cultivated approximately 6,700 acres of cotton and soybean crops genetically engineered to withstand the herbicide dicamba. While dicamba is a powerful tool for weed control, its application is heavily regulated. The EPA had not approved the use of a specific dicamba product, STRUT, for post-planting application on cotton, and restricted its use on soybeans. Despite these limitations, authorities allege that Lowrey directed his employees to illegally apply dicamba-based pesticides to both cotton *after* planting and to immature soybean crops, violating pre-harvest application intervals.
The illicit spraying didn’t go unnoticed. Multiple neighboring farmers reported significant damage to their crops, consistent with pesticide drift—the unintended spread of chemicals from one field to another. The Missouri Department of Agriculture launched an investigation, requesting spray application records from Lowrey Farms to determine the extent of the illegal activity. However, investigators quickly discovered a deliberate attempt to mislead them.
According to the EPA, Lowrey provided falsified documentation and made numerous false statements, claiming that dicamba products were only used during “burndown” applications – a permitted pre-planting use. This deliberate deception aimed to conceal the fact that employees were applying the herbicide in ways specifically prohibited by federal regulations. The scheme unraveled as investigators gathered evidence contradicting Lowrey’s claims.
Legal Ramifications
On January 2, 2020, Lowrey and Lowrey Farms pleaded guilty to violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Specifically, Lowrey was found to have violated 18 U.S.C. 1001 (making false statements) and 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)(G) and 7 U.S.C. 136l(b)(2), related to the improper use of pesticides. As a result, Lowrey Farms was ordered to pay a $200,000 fine. Bobby Lowrey received a sentence of 60 days of probation, including 60 days of home confinement.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Bobby David Lowrey and Lowrey Farms
- Location: Dexter, Missouri
- Year of Offense: 2016
- Crime: Illegal pesticide application and false statements to investigators
- Pesticide Involved: Dicamba-based products (including STRUT)
- Violated Laws: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)(G), 7 U.S.C. 136l(b)(2)
- Penalties: $200,000 fine for the company, 60 days probation/home confinement for Lowrey
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to pesticide regulations, not only to protect the environment and neighboring crops but also to maintain the integrity of the agricultural industry. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against those who violate these crucial laws.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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