- Author: Apurba Barman
- Author: John Palumbo
- Author: Michael Rethwisch
A new caterpillar pest was found infesting alfalfa fields in Imperial County.
It was first observed in mid-September when pest control advisers brought it to our attention (Apurba Barman and Jon Palumbo). This pest has not been previously observed in low desert. Based on the photo of the larvae Michael Rethwisch (UC Cooperative Extension-Riverside County) identified this pest as alfalfa leaftier, Dichomeris acuminatus (Staudinger, 1876). John Palumbo also found alfalfa fields infested by this pest in Yuma, Arizona area. Subsequently, larvae and adults from a laboratory reared colony were sent out to California Department of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento, and expert there confirmed our initial...
- Author: Nicholas Clark
- Contributor: Michelle Leinfelder-Miles
- Contributor: Joy Hollingsworth
- Contributor: Anthony Fulford
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- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Michelle Leinfelder-Miles
- Author: Sarah LIght
- Author: Dan Putnam
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A new study that outlines costs and returns of establishing and producing organic alfalfa hay has been released by UC Cooperative Extension, the UC Agricultural Issues Center and the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
High-quality organic alfalfa hay is an important ingredient in milk-cow feed rations for organic dairies. Organic dairy farms are required to use organic feed and allow cows to graze for part of their forage. Organic alfalfa hay comprises another major source of forage for the industry.
In 2019, organic dairy farms in California produced about 900 million pounds of milk — just over 2% of California milk output production, according to co-author Daniel Sumner, director of the...
- Author: Konrad Mathesius
- Author: Gabriele Maier
- Author: Josh Davy
- Editor: Mark Lundy
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Looking a little dry out there?
Dry conditions mean it's good to be cautious about nitrate toxicity in forage crops, particularly small grain hay, grasses, and anything weedy! Nitrates can harm or even kill animals. Growers should test forages and stay vigilant.
Why are dry years more of a concern for nitrate toxicity? Drought conditions in California this year are the worst they've been in decades. Many growers are considering cutting their grain fields for hay, however, that may cause some concerns for ruminant livestock if forage nitrate (NO3) levels are not monitored closely since drought stress can cause nitrate accumulation in forage plants.
Rainfall...
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
- Author: Rachael Long
Gophers, ground squirrels, and meadow voles are among the most important pests in California alfalfa fields.
Training in vertebrate pest management and control is being held, starting tomorrow for the next few days in virtual webinars.
Sign up now for Virtual Vertebrate Pest Council Webinars coming in the next few days.
Pocket Gopher in an alfalfa field.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021-
