Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK
Oklahoma Alfalfa Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station

SPRING GRAZING ALFALFA
If alfalfa stands were not grazed in fall or winter, grazing may be considered as a means of reducing populations of weevil eggs and larvae during March. Grazing should be initiated before height of new growth exceeds 3-4" with appropriate precautions taken to prevent bloat in cattle. Cattle should be provided a bloat preventative such as Poloxalene for several days and fed dry hay before being moved onto alfalfa. As with winter grazing, stands should be cleanly grazed to remove new growth and dead plant material left from the previous fall growth. Research studies have shown that populations of weevil larvae may be reduced by 80-90% with spring-grazing, often eliminating the need for insecticide applications. Additionally, grazing in March has proven to be effective in control of aphid infestations that have begun to build-up in late winter.
Richard Berberet, Alfalfa Entomologist  Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology  Oklahoma State University

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