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

Production Update:
PDF version, 62KB

Hay Preservatives (Part 1) Hay preservatives allow hay to be baled at moisture contents ranging from 25 to 30% without damage from heat and mold. The advantage of baling at a higher moisture content, of course, is to lessen harvesting and storage losses, decrease the chance of rain damage, extend the period during the day when baling is possible, and improve hay quality. Hay preservatives are normally applied with the baler. Preservatives are most economical when they allow rain damage to be avoided.

Insect Management: Egyptian alfalfa weevil populations are building in hay fields. The first management step is to sample alfalfa fields every 2 to 4 days after weevil larvae first appear. Sample each field quadrant by taking 5 sweeps with a standard net. Count the number of weevil larvae in each 5 sweep sample and add the totals for each of the field quadrants. Divide the grand total for the field by the total number of sweeps (20). The field should be treated with an insecticide registered for weevil control when to average number of larvae reaches of exceeds 20 per sweep. If sweep counts are 10 to 15 larvae per sweep just before cutting, then applying malathion under the windrows may be considered.

Weed Control: In addition to the 12 herbicides that are registered and used to varying degrees in Arizona, there are at least a few more that are being evaluated or registered. These include Raptor, Visor and Sandea. There are more herbicides registered on alfalfa than on many crops grown in Arizona.

10 Year Summary (Jan 15 - Jan 27, 1993-2002):

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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