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

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The alfalfa report will be available exclusively on the internet at http//ag.arizona.edu/crops/counties/yuma/alfalfareports/alfalfareports.html It will no longer be mailed directly to you although a hard copy can be printed from this site. The site contains all previous reports back to August 2000 when it was first posted electronically. A new report will appear every other Monday.

Production Update:
Production Update: Measured vs. Calculated Forage Quality Values: There is no single forage quality parameter that accurately predicts animal performance. This leads to confusion about forage quality parameters in general. To avoid confusion, keep in mind that some forage quality parameters such as ADF, NDF, and protein, are measured. Other forage quality parameters, such as TDN and RFV, are calculated from measured values. The formulas used to generate calculated values can differ, and the formulas used for TDN in particular vary by region and nutritionist.

Insect Management: Insect management in alfalfa depends on a good monitoring program. Management decisions should be based on suitable sampling methods to estimate insect pests populations. Check fields at least once a week and more often when counts show that a pest population is approaching damaging levels. Correct identification of insect pests and their damage is essential. Several factors need to be considered when sampling insect populations. Time of day can greatly influence the reliability sampling methods. Nocturnal pests hide during the day. Morning dew or strong winds can alter counts of some insects. Sample at several sites in each field quadrant. Choose sampling methods that are reliable for the insect pests being monitored. Avoid field edges for general sampling, but observe field edges for invading insects.

Weed Control: The effectiveness of Eptam is reduced by its high volatility under frequent irrigations. It is still effective, however, in suppressing perennial weeds like Nutsedge and Bermudagrass when multiple applications are made throughout the summer. Applications following the 1st, 3rd, and 5th cuttings are most important.

10 Year Summary (Feb 10 - Feb 23, 1995-2004):

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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