Alfalfa Troubles - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Alfalfa Troubles

A growing problem in the field is stunting this year's alfalfa plant growth.
Reporter Sarah Gustin takes you to the field to explain.

An alfalfa field should like this, but this year many looks like this.
(Jackie Buckley / Morton Co. Extension Agent) "The white or grayish look is due to the alfalfa weevil."
Morton County Extension Agent Jackie Buckley says these little green worms have been popping up more and more the past few years.
But this year they are back with vengeance munching away on this year's hay supply and profits.
(Jackie Buckley / Morton Co. Extension Agent) "They eat and then the frazzled edges cause the gray or white coloring in the alfalfa. The also cause little holes in the leaves and they also eat off the terminal bud. They are a little worm now and that's the larva form and that's what does the most damage."
Buckley says she's been getting a lot of calls concerning sick alfalfa fields.
She says some black and white leaves are also the aftermath of a few nights below freezing.
(Jackie Buckley / Morton Co. Extension Agent) "The best bet is to go out and cut that alfalfa if you can because it might have killed off the terminal bud and it may not bloom at all."
(Sarah Gustin / sgustin@kxnet.com) "As for the weevils, Buckley says your best line of defense is to come in cut it, bale it and then spray it to ensure a healthy second cutting."
(Jackie Buckley / Morton Co. Extension Agent) "The only way that there is a possibility of getting a second cutting is you are going to have to cut it off in some way because it will just sit there if you don't."

Buckley says most insecticides should work for those wanting to spray for weevils.