In a period when we've had high rains, it's very difficult to manage excessive winter growth in a Mediterranean climate.

We're familiar with the term 'sheeping-off' for describing the use of sheep to graze alfalfa fields during the wintertime to remove thatch, weeds, and help with weevil control (see ‘Sheeping off' alfalfa is a win-win for all!).

But how about 'goating-off'?   Doesn't sound quite right, but close winter grazing by goats is likewise an effective pest management practice, just like sheep. When grazing with sheep or goats, timing is important. Watch for excessive soil compaction when rainy and wet and do...

Alfalfa and grass hays produced in the US ending up feeding dairy cows in Riyadh or Bengbu? Who would have thought?

What was once a minor curiosity has fully emerged as a major market for western US hay producers.

Hay has been traditionally been fed to animals very close to home and it still is in most of the United States (Figure 1). However, US and world trade in hay products (primarily alfalfa and grass hay and cubes) has increased dramatically over the past decades due to advanced methods of mechanical handling and inexpensive international freight rates. The high quality of western-grown alfalfa and grass hay has been especially demanded by foreign buyers.

Figure 1. ...

An important change has come to California insect management tools and strategies for alfalfa and other crops.

As of January 1, 2019, new restrictions on the use of chlorpyrifos (e.g., Lorsban and other products) for alfalfa in California have been imposed. This is likely to impact grower practices and strategies to address pest resistance issues.

According to CA-DPR (California Department of Pesticide Regulation), chlorpyrifos can only be used in alfalfa under the following permit conditions:

Chlorpyrifos (e.g., Lorsban) permit conditions (CA) for alfalfa:

• For control of alfalfa weevils, blue alfalfa aphid, and cowpea aphid (no other pests).
• The size of an...

As you're thinking about winter weed management in alfalfa production, keep in mind the need for common groundsel control.

Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is highly toxic to livestock at all growth stages because it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) which can cause chronic and irreversible liver disease in animals. Cattle and horses are most sensitive to the PAs, followed by pigs and chickens, and then sheep, goats and turkeys, which are the least sensitive to PA toxicity. Younger animals are typically more sensitive than adults. Therefore, the identification and control of groundsel in forages is important for preventing livestock PA poisonings.

What is...