Alfalfa & Forage News

I have received a couple calls this year from growers and a PCA about root scarring in alfalfa fields. These observations were a bit of a head scratcher for all of us. At one of the fields, I noticed what looked to be a wireworm on the root, so that was throwing me off (Figure 1).

A question came up from a rancher/farmer about grazing alfalfa seed production fields after seed harvest. Can one safely turn livestock onto alfalfa seed fields or cut and bale the hay for feed after harvesting the seed? Yes, with the following considerations: 1) Watch for Chemical Residues.

JUST HOW DRY IS IT? It really doesn't look good out there for many western alfalfa growers. Most parts of the West are currently under 'severe, extreme, or exceptional' drought. One would think that NOAA and USDA would run out of superlatives! (how about 'excruciating'?). Figure 1.

Vetch (Vicia spp.) is growing like a weed everywhere this year, carpeting our hills with great swaths of purple flowers (see photo). What is Vetch? There are several species that are commonly grown as crops, cover crops or weeds (see below table).

During the 2021 season, we conducted an insecticide trial evaluating a new insecticide being developed for a range of crops. It could be a very good fit for alfalfa weevil given the efficacy we saw as well as the critical need for novel modes of action for alfalfa weevil management.