Alfalfa

California entomologists wonder whether growers are using alfalfa varieties bred for resistance to blue alfalfa aphid as the pest’s populations grow, stunt alfalfa growth and reduce yields in that state and in Arizona. They also want to know whether broad-spectrum insecticides used to control other alfalfa pests hurt blue alfalfa aphid management, as they can adversely affect natural enemy populations that manage pests...More

As Upper Midwestern forage growers realize the extent of winterkill damage in their fields, Extension service specialists have put together resources offering advice. The University of Minnesota devoted a Web page to winter injury damage, called “Alfalfa weather damage and emergency forages – 2013.” The page has advice on stand assessment, replanting forages and small grains, and it answers questions on autotoxicity in alfalfa....More

The University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin ask alfalfa and other forage producers in the two states to complete a brief, 12-question survey....More

Reports of alfalfa weevil are filtering in from multiple states around the Midwest....More

Applying sulfur to alfalfa in a sulfate form can give fields an immediate boost....More