Pests & Diseases

As we enter the second half of the year, this summer is continuing to be one of turbulent ups and downs for hay and forage growers.

This month, I want to identify and briefly discuss the top seven reasons I see that pasture weed control programs don't work as well as they should.

A popular comedian has a top 10 list for his act, but since I'm only about 70 percent as funny as he is, I only have a top seven list.

What is small, brown and defoliates alfalfa? While there are several correct replies, the most common answer is the alfalfa weevil. If not managed properly, this pest inflicts a wealth of damage on important first-cutting alfalfa stands.

The bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM) has become a pest for cattlemen and hay producers across the Southeast.

If you are in the farming and ranching business, a prolonged drought is impossible to ignore. Limited rainfall over the past couple of years has been hard on pastures, rangeland and hay production, as well as on people.

It’s not just minimal moisture that hurts forage production; one of the most aggravating side effects of drought can be a surge in hungry grasshopper populations.

Although many vertebrate pests cause problems in alfalfa, the most frequent offender is the pocket gopher (hereafter gopher; Thomomys spp.).