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

Production Update:
Forage Quality: Forage quality is commonly measured by crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Protein, ADF, and NDF can be measured by "wet chemistry" or near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Relative feed value (RFV), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and other estimates or forage quality are calculated from ADF and/or NDF. The ultimate determinant of forage quality is animal performance.

Insect Management: Threecornered alfalfa hopper, Spissistilus festinus (Say) is a treehopper commonly found in desert alfalfa. Populations buildup in the spring and persist into the fall. They feed by inserting their needle-like mouth parts into stems, sucking out juices. Adult female hoppers girdle stems by depositing eggs, causing the stem and leaves to turn red, purple or yellow above the girdle. Adults are light-green, thick-bodied, triangular insects about 1/4 inch long that readily fly when disturbed. Nymphs are grayish-white, soft bodied, with saw-toothed spines on their backs. Nymphs are confined to the lower portions of the plant and may not be picked up in a sweep net. There are rarely enough threecornered alfalfa hoppers in alfalfa fields to cause economic damage. Definitive monitoring and treatment guidelines have not been developed because threecornered alfalfa hoppers are a sporadic problem in alfalfa.

Weed Control: When using Trifluralin granules to control tough summer weeds such as dodder, a second application is sometimes necessary in June to extend control through July, August and September. A good time to make this application is after this next cutting.

10 Year Summary (May 20 - June 2, 1994-2003):

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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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