It acts by inhibiting the enzyme protoporphyrinogen oxidase to control broadleaf weeds in crops including soybeans and corn.

In 1985, chemists at the Dr R. Maag subsidiary of Hoffmann-La Roche filed patents to 3-aryl uracil derivatives which had herbicidal activity.

[5][6] BASF scientists investigated the chemistry and patented an analog where the carboxylic ester of butafenacil was replaced by a sulfamoyl carboxamide.

[9][11] The herbicide controls only broadleaf weeds but is effective both pre- and post-emergence on a very wide range of these species including Abutilon theophrasti, Acalypha virginica, Acanthospermum hispidum, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus palmeri, Amaranthus powellii, Amaranthus retroflexus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Chenopodium album, Conyza canadensis, Datura stramonium, Galinsoga parviflora, Helianthus annuus, Hibiscus trionum, Ipomoea hederacea, Ipomoea purpurea, Kochia scoparia, Mollugo verticillata, Physalis angulata, Polygonum convolvulus, Polygonum persicaria, Portulaca oleracea, Richardia scabra, Salsola kali, Sicyos angulatus, Sinapis arvensis, Solanum nigrum, Stellaria media, Thlaspi arvense, Tribulus terrestris and Xanthium strumarium.

[9] The estimated annual use of saflufenacil in US agriculture is mapped by the US Geological Service and shows that in 2018, the latest date for which figures are available, approximately 600,000 pounds (270,000 kg) were applied — mainly in corn and soybean.