Page 24 - MWC 4-21-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · April 21, 2022 · P24
K-State crop entomologist: Be on the lookout for alfalfa weevil

Whitworth suggests that farmers start scouting their fields now
By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension
Kansas State University up on plants, indicating that
crop entomologist Jeff Whit- they are starting to hatch.
worth said now is the time for As it gets warmer, more
farmers to be checking their eggs will begin to hatch. “You
field for the alfalfa weevil, need to get out and start
which is considered the num- scouting,” Whitworth said.
ber one alfalfa pest. Whitworth recommends
“The adults come into the that producers wait until
alfalfa fields in late summer, there is a 30-50% infestation
early fall and they start lay- of alfalfa weevils in a field
ing eggs in the stems of the before deciding to spray. To
alfalfa,” Whitworth said. test the infestation level, pick
Eggs will hatch after about stems and then vigorous-
300 growing degree days, a ly shake them into a white
physiological measurement bucket to count the number a 20% infestation level and before treating for weevils.
of temperature. That puts of larvae that fall off. should be checked within the “Anytime the temperature
the newly hatched weevils in Whitworth shared how to next 4-5 days, depending on gets down into the mid-20s,
farmers’ fields about now. calculate the infestation level. temperatures. the young larvae will be
Alfalfa weevils leave be- If a producer shakes 10 stems “Don’t go out there and killed,” Whitworth said.
hind tiny holes – about the into the bucket and there are spray too early,” Whitworth If rain is forecast in the
size of a pin prick – in the six larvae, there is a 60% in- said. “These insecticides only coming 3-4 days, Whitworth
leaves of alfalfa plants. Ac- festation level. If a produc- last 10-14 days.” suggests holding off on spray-
cording to Whitworth, those er shakes 10 stems but only Whitworth recommends ing.
holes have started to show counts 2 larvae, then there is checking the weather forecast

A FOCUS ON SOIL Aljoe cautioned not to do
continued from page 19 too much too soon. Soil Health Principles
“You want to manage what
forefront. Sure, taste is still you can manage well,” he said.
king, but premium brands “We can’t make all the chang- Mapping out how to renew creates an enabling environ-
like the Certified Angus Beef es at one time. So take an area the land begins with the fol- ment and catalyst for a di-
® brand must adapt to stay that you know you have easy lowing five soil health princi- verse underground communi-
relevant to the consumer. access to, that you know you ples. Principles inform practic- ty. In nature, grasses, legumes,
“If we look at long-term sus- can manage well, and that es, which are put into motion and forbs are found working
tainability and what it means might be a little forgiving. We with the help of innovative together in a native, diverse
for the beef business, for pro- want to be safe to learn. You’re tools and training. rangeland setting. The com-
ducers out on these ranches, going to have little, small fail- 1. Cover the Soil plex interactions of roots and
we’ve got to consider continual ures, but you want to fail early, Using dedicated plants other living organisms with-
improvement,” Aljoe said. “For often, and cheaply. Make it a for grazing, cover crops and in the soil defines the soil’s
true sustainability, we need to safe to learn experience.” crop residue minimizes bare water holding capacity, affects
improve our soils, our lands, Drovers ground and builds soil organ- carbon sequestration and en-
our land stewardship, our an- ic matter. Plant cover further ables nutrient availability for
imal wellbeing, just as well as protects the soil from erosion plants.
our stockmanship skills.” and serves as a barrier be-
tween the sun and raw soil, Noble Foundation
preventing escalated soil tem-
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