- Author: Vonny M. Barlow
- Author: Daniel Putnam
2015 Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium will be held in Reno, Nevada on December 2-4 at the Silver Legacy Hotel, with a focus on water, irrigation, pest management and economics.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about alfalfa and other forage crops, and to visit with farmers, scientists, experts in various fields. Eleven Western States have joined forces this year to plan the Symposium. The event will be managed by the California Alfalfa & Forage Association (Sacramento, CA). Typically between 500 and 700 people attend.
Highlights:
- One-Day Alfalfa Irrigation Training Workshop (December 2)
- Economic Trends
- Pest Management...
- Author: Vonny M. Barlow
Basic background and biology of the blue alfalfa aphid:
The blue alfalfa aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji) was first identified by entomologists in the spring of 1975 in the Imperial Valley of California. Since then it has become widespread throughout the state and has become established in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and as far east as Kansas and Oklahoma. Both adults and nymphs feed on photosynthetic fluids from the leaves and stems of the alfalfa plant. Low to moderate populations of blue alfalfa aphid (BAA) may cause little to no visible yellowing of plants. Blue alfalfa aphid feed in the new growth, at the tips and young leaves. After prolonged feeding, leaves will eventually turn yellow,...
- Author: Cheryl Reyolds
As summer continues to heat up, keep in mind that regulations remain in effect to reduce the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be emitted into the atmosphere by pesticides and other harmful chemicals and contribute to the amount of ozone or smog in the environment.
Calculators from the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) that determine the VOC emissions from fumigant and non-fumigant pesticides before application are available to help growers, pest control advisers, and pesticide applicators...
- Author: Peter B Goodell
Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban and other products containing this active ingredient) plays an important role in the management of critical key pests in alfalfa forage. In particular, blue aphids, cowpea aphids and weevils were identified by the Alfalfa Crop Team of the Critical Use of Chlorpyrifos in Alfalfa, Almond, Citrus and Cotton Project. The full report can be found by clicking here and notes that the critical alfalfa pests (weevils, blue and cowpea aphids) have few or no alternative management options to chlorpyrifos. Since the report was published in November 2014, several new insecticide registrations (including issuance of a special local...
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
The 2013-2015 California drought has brought much public attention to the amount of water used in agriculture, and particularly which crops use the most water.
Although almonds have taken the hit lately, alfalfa is often one of the favorite whipping boys of agricultural critics due to its high water use on a state-wide basis.
But is alfalfa's water profile really so miserable?
Contrary to popular belief, alfalfa has several unique positive biological properties and advantages when it comes to water. Due to these properties, alfalfa is remarkably resilient when it comes to severe drought conditions.
Alfalfa can grow year-round, and yield...