- Author: Umair Gull
- Author: Rachael Long
- Author: Isaya Kisekka
- Author: Khaled Bali
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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. Currently much of the Southwest US is under ‘extreme' to ‘exceptional drought', depending upon the region (Figure 1). A key issue for many regions is snow pack – which currently is at about 60% of normal. Although we've had some recent precipitation, the trend is for relatively low rainfall for the rest of the month of March. Allocations of surface water to the large irrigation districts are scheduled to be a...
- Author: Sarah Light
- Author: Daniel H. Putnam
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.
Weed competition during stand establishment may be irreversible because it impedes root growth, results in thinner alfalfa stands, and can lower forage quality due to poor stands.
This project evaluated the efficacy of pre-plant weed control in alfalfa using mechanical cultivation or Glyphosate spray with the goal of providing both organic and conventional growers with regionally relevant information about an integrated weed management tool for improved stand...
- Author: Rachael Long
- Author: Sarah Light
- Author: Roger Baldwin
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
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. Photo: Steven Beckley, Woodland, CA
The sight of thousands of geese foraging in agricultural fields is spectacular and a natural wonder, until they start devastating your crop. This winter, snow and Ross's geese have been eating farmers out of house and home in the Sacramento valley, devastating wheat, cover crops, and alfalfa fields.
Millions of Guests Arriving for Dinner. Geese foraging...
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Dr. Ken Giles
- Author: Dr. Xuan Li
- Author: Bill Reynolds
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. This could be especially helpful in areas where there's a shortage of farm labor for pesticide applications or for small areas that require spot treatment.
2020 Drone Trials
In the summer 2020, we evaluated the efficacy of drones compared to airplanes for applying insecticides for summer worm control in alfalfa hay fields (see Photo 1). These pests can be highly damaging to alfalfa as the larvae...
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
- Author: Rachael Long
- Author: Michael Rethwisch
- Author: Ian Grettenberger
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. The registration of Transform has been so far deferred due to concerns of potential impacts on pollinators. Transform currently has a full EPA label for use in alfalfa hay in all other states, but not in California.
This is something California alfalfa growers and PCAs should pay attention to, and consider weighing in.
Figure 1. Blue Alfalfa Aphid Damage, Nevada, 2020. Growers in other states are able to use Transform to...
