- Fields last harvested in mid May for hay and left for seed
production should be ready to harvest during the first two weeks of August.
- Scout fields carefully before bloom to assess need for
control of pests such as foliage-feeding caterpillars, lygus bugs, and leafhoppers. After
bloom begins, avoid spraying insecticides if possible. If sprays are necessary after
alfalfa bloom begins, use short residual insecticides applied during evening hours when
pollinators are inactive.
- Seed producers rely on native species of bees (such as
bumble bees) or honey bees to pollinate alfalfa. Scout fields carefully before bloom to
assess the need for control of pests such as foliage-feeding caterpillars, lygus, and
leafhoppers. After bloom begins, avoid spraying insecticides if possible.
, .
- Growth of alfalfa for seed production should begin no later
than early June to complete harvest before late August when alfalfa seed chalcid
population is highest. Aside from clean-up of volunteer alfalfa along field borders to
remove sources of infestation, there is no effective control for chalcid.
- For seed production, all vegetation along field borders
where grasshoppers may hatch and feed in early summer should be kept mowed to reduce
chances of migration into fields during July and August. The greatest damage will be to
buds, blooms, and seed pods near edges of fields.
- Aside from clean-up of volunteer alfalfa along field
borders to remove sources of infestation, there is no effective control for alfalfa seed
chalcid.
- Scouting seed production fields for weeds is the only way
to know they are present.
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