- Author: Ian M Grettenberger
- Author: Kevin Goding
- Author: Rob Wilson
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. The need for more modes of action comes from the growing issue with pyrethroid resistance in alfalfa weevils. Across the US (an in California), there are now populations of pyrethroid-resistant alfalfa weevils. We are addressing this in a separate project, focusing primarily on resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin. New modes of action could allow for rotation, something that is very difficult given that currently, effective options are mainly limited to...
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Daniel J Geisseler
- Author: Roland D Meyer
- Author: Daniel H. Putnam
DIAGNOSING A FIELD PROBLEM
Can applications of Calcium (Ca) fertilizers improve plant nutrient uptake or improve soil properties in alfalfa fields?
These questions were presented to us by an alfalfa grower in the Sacramento Valley of California where low soil Ca levels were observed.
Soil samples were taken from 9 different alfalfa fields in Yolo County in the fall of 2021 to assess nutrient needs. This farmer had done an excellent job of maintaining P and K levels, but calcium levels were often low: ranging from 1.0 - 4.0 meq/l. Anything less than 4.0 meq/l calcium is considered very low. Were these calcium levels too low...
- 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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/h4>/h3>/h3>/h3>/h1>- 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...