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

Production Update:

Cutting a seedling stand: A seedling stand should be allowed to develop root reserves before cutting for the first time. Regrowth after the first cutting may be weak and the stand harmed if a seedling stand is cut too soon. A seedling stand is generally ready for cutting once the tap root is 14 inches long, or the regrowth buds at the base of the plant are at least 1 inch long, or flowering has started.

Insect Management: Egyptian alfalfa weevil (picture)populations buildup in hay fields during the early spring. 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 the average number of larvae reaches or 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. Avaunt is a newly registered insecticide for alfalfa hay production that will control EAW.

Weed Control: It makes no sense to apply less than 20 lbs/AC of Trifluralin granules. Split applications of 10 lbs. spaced 2 or 3 months apart will give you 70-80 percent control. One application of 20 lbs. will give you 90-100 percent control and last just as long. Two applications of 20 lbs./AC may be required for touch weed such as dodder or on poorly drained soils where the herbicide breaks down sooner.

10 Year Summary (Jan. 14 - Jan. 27, 1994-2003):

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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