Yuma County Office
2200 W. 28^th Street, Ste. 102
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 726-3904
(928) 726-8472 FAX

Production Update:
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Starter Fertilizer: Starter Fertilizer Nitrogen is often recommended at planting time as a starter fertilizer for alfalfa. Nitrogen fertilizer may stimulate growth of alfalfa seedlings. However, nitrogen may also stimulate growth of weeds and will delay nodulation until the nitrogen level in the soil is decreased. The amount of nitrogen applied as a starter fertilizer should be in the range of 25 to 50 pounds of N per acre and rates above 50 pounds of N per acre are considered excessive.

Insect Management: Egrets, Ibis, gulls, and, redwing black birds are commonly seen in alfalfa fields. Birds are important predators of various insect pests in alfalfa including the very damaging granulate cutworm. Egrets, Ibis and gulls are often seen at the leading edge of irrigation water eating crickets and worms forced to move or drown. These birds feed during the day and roost at night. Therefore, they only eat the cutworms in lands where water is run during daylight hours. Black birds eat cutworms, other worm pests, and aphids on alfalfa stems. NOTE: On November 26th from 6:00 - 8:00pm, the Department of Agricultural will hold a general meeting presenting the new pesticides rules. This meeting will be held in the auditorium at the Yuma County Cooperative Extension Service (see address above). There is no registration required. If you need further information, contact Linda Fish at 602-542-3578 or Debra Atkins at 602-542-3579.

Weed Control: Nettleleaf goosefoot (chenopodium murale) and common lambsquarters (chenopodium album) are closely related weeds but respond differently to same herbicides. Pursuit, for instance, will control goosefoot but not lambsquarters. Lambsquarters is pale green with a rough surface while goosefoot is dark green with a slick waxy surface.

10 Year Summary (Oct. 23, to Nov. 5, 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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