Yuma County Office
2200 W. 28^th Street, Ste. 102
Yuma, AZ 85364
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Production Update:
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Winter irrigation termination: Water can be conserved in alfalfa production by not irrigating during the winter. In a test conducted on the Yuma-mesa, alfalfa irrigations were terminated from November through February with only a slight impact on yield. Winter rainfall is often sufficient to maintain some growth without supplemental irrigation. The advantage of winter compared to summer irrigation termination is that haymaking is difficult during the winter and permanent damage is not as likely with winter termination.

Insect Management: Pea aphid, a pest of alfalfa during the spring months, can be distinguished from blue alfalfa aphid by lighter antennae with dark bands at each joint. Blue alfalfa aphids have uniformly dark antennae. Pea aphids first appear in December or January but are usually less abundant than blue alfalfa aphid until later in the spring, but pea aphid may persist into early summer as they are more heat tolerant. They are found over most of the plant with heavy infestations and can deposit large quantities of honeydew which can foul harvesting equipment and supports the growth of sooty molds lowering hay quality. Regrowth may be stunted following cuttings with moderate to heavy aphid populations. Several species of predacious bugs and parasitic wasps attack these aphids. Sample alfalfa fields by taking 5 to 6 stem samples in at least 5 locations per field weekly when aphids appear, then every 2 to 3 days as numbers approach the treatment threshold of 40 to 50 aphids per stem for plants under 10 inches, 70 to 80 per stem for plants 10 to 20 inches tall and more than 100 aphids per stem for plants over 20 inches tall.

Weed Control: It is better to be a month early than a day late with preemergent herbicides. It is best to shoot for mid-January to February 1 in alfalfa. It needs to get very cold to kill weeds like sprangletop and sandbur. Preemergent herbicides will not kill weeds that overwinter.

10 Year Summary (Dec 4 to Dec 17, 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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