- Author: Thomas Getts
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
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...
- Author: Nicholas Clark
This year's Alfalfa and Forage Field Day held on September 19, 2018 at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, CA, was another success.
The presentations and handouts from that day are now available on the University of CA Alfalfa and Forages website. Click here to reach the page where you can download individual presentation slides and handouts.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Industry sponsorship of this event reached an outstanding level, and the meeting will be funded for another year without the need to reach out to...
- Author: Nicholas Clark
The agenda for the annual Kearney Alfalfa and Forage Field Day is set.
Where: Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center; 9240 S. Riverbend Ave.; Parlier, CA 93648
When: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 @ 7:30 AM - 12:15 PM
What: A half day of field tours, hands on demonstrations, and classroom presentations from UC Farm Advisors and Specialists as well as industry professionals. Refreshments and lunch are provided.
Cost: $0.00
1.5 "Other" DPR units have been applied for. 0.5 NM, 1.0 SWM, 1.5 IPM,...
- Author: Thomas Getts
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Mariano Galla
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The old saying, “Everything's fine until it's not,” comes to mind when dealing with some tough to control perennial weeds in alfalfa production during the summertime. Such was the case for an alfalfa field in the Sacramento Valley, where weed control seemed good up until mid-summer, and then it wasn't. Perennial weeds that started off small and overlooked, grew through the season, persisting through multiple cuttings, including curly dock, plantain, and nutsedge. For tough to control weeds in alfalfa fields, one needs to determine: 1) What types of perennial weeds are present, and 2) How many of them are there, to make a decision on how to manage them. These sorts of weed issues can creep up quickly in older alfalfa...
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Mariano Galla
- Author: Konrad Mathesius
- Author: Sarah Light
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Yikes, my weed control didn't work! It's springtime and you're looking at your seedling alfalfa field that you planted late last fall. You have a great stand, but you're not quite satisfied with the level of weed control despite an earlier herbicide application. You still see weeds out there, including bristly oxtongue, thistles, mustard, dandelion, and fiddleneck. You know that weed infestations can weaken young alfalfa plants, retard growth, delay the first cutting, reduce quality, and result in long term damage to crop yield and stand persistence.
The field is still a seedling stand, considered as such until at least the first hay cutting (around the 6-9 leaf stage and a crown is forming). The...
