Alfalfa & Forage News

Looking a little dry out there? January and February of 2021 were some of the driest months on record, with near Zero (1.7) precipitation in Northern California. Things don't look good for summer. What can alfalfa growers do under these conditions? Drought Coming.

Good stand establishment is important for alfalfa production and can impact crop productivity not only in year one, but for many years. Stand establishment weed control is one of the most important factors for both conventional and organic growers.

Growers frequently celebrate the presence of wildlife in their alfalfa and grain fields, providing valuable habitat as well as economic returns. But sometimes it's just too much of a good thing. Snow geese and Ross's geese foraging in alfalfa hay in the Sacramento Valley, 2021.

Use of drones (UAV, unmanned aerial vehicle) for aerial application of pesticides in agricultural crops is becoming a reality. Drone technology provides an additional tool for growers to control pests and diseases on farms, supplementing traditional ground and aerial spraying practices.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is currently reviewing the use of Transform (sulfoxaflor) for insect pest management in alfalfa hay production. A decision on whether to register Transform with a label for use in California alfalfa is expected to occur by the end of 2020.