Yuma County Office
2200 W. 28^th Street, Ste. 102
Yuma, AZ 85364
(520) 726-3904
(520) 726-8472 FAX

Production Update:
PDF version, 14KB

Adding Moisture to Windrows: Producing high quality hay in hot, dry desert areas is a challenge due leaf loss when raking or baling. Growers typically wait for dew to appear late at night or early in the morning. Leaf losses can range from 5 to 10% even under the best conditions, and can be as high as 20% or more if the leaves become too dry. Windrow moisture can be increased by irrigating closer to cutting or by applying moisture to the windrow. Moisture can be applied to windrows with equipment as simple as a water truck or with specially designed spraying equipment.

Insect Management: Alfalfa looper, Autogragha californica (Speyer), is a minor pest of low desert alfalfa. Alfalfa looper larvae devour alfalfa leaves, but also occasionally feed on barley, cabbage, clover, grape, lettuce, peas and several weed species. Eggs are laid singly, larvae hatch within a few days, feed for about two weeks, and spin a loose white cocoon among the leaves to pupate. In about ten days to two weeks moths emerge. The entire life cycle is completed in about a month. Alfalfa loopers are rarely of economic importance in Arizona or California due to natural control. This insect is usually held in check by parasitic wasps, parasitic flies, and bacterial, fungal and viral diseases.

Weed Control: Season-long control of annual grasses can be expected when 20 lbs. per acre of trifluralin 10G is applied in the spring. A second application is sometimes necessary, however, where soils are not well drained or water ponds in the field. Anarobic degradation of the herbicide occurs under these conditions.

10 Year Summary (July 2, to July 15, 1992-2001):

Full Disclaimers

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.

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