Minnesota Crop News

Find out about the latest in forage management at the Multi-state Forage Field Day on August 18  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Minnesota's West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, Minnesota. The field day is supported by Upper Midwest universities and forage associations as part of the I-29 Moo University , along with generous support from sponsors.  Learn from experts across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska during hands-on field sessions and indoor presentations covering topics including:  • Grazing under solar panels • Virtual fencing • Manure application • Forage interseeding • Forage agronomy • Pest management • Nutrient management Early-registration includes lunch at $20 per person or $10 per person if you come as a farm or family group and both will increase by $5 after August 9th. Walk-in registration ($25) will be available the day of the event, but registration by August 9th is highly encouraged if you plan t...

In recent years, Minnesota alfalfa growers have been reporting increased issues with alfalfa insects to Extension staff. Especially for alfalfa weevil, there have been reports of reduced pesticide efficacy for this pest along with issues persisting past first cutting and concerns about how to manage other insects in addition to alfalfa weevil. In order to respond to these concerns and assess how widespread these issues are, University of Minnesota Extension has been hosting a multi-state survey focused on alfalfa grower perspectives and needs for alfalfa weevil management and other related insects. The survey is set to close in early June, so now is the time to add your perspective to the survey and let University of Minnesota Extension know how your alfalfa fields and financial decisions are affected by alfalfa pests. The short 22-question online survey covering the 2021-25 growing seasons can be found at https://z.umn.edu/alfalfapestsurvey . Reduced alfalfa regrowth due to p...

In recent years, Minnesota alfalfa growers have been reporting increased issues with alfalfa insects to Extension staff. Especially for alfalfa weevil, there have been reports of reduced pesticide efficacy for this pest along with issues persisting past first cutting and concerns about how to manage other insects in addition to alfalfa weevil. In order to respond to these concerns and assess how widespread these issues are, University of Minnesota Extension is hosting a multi-state survey focused on alfalfa grower perspectives and needs for alfalfa weevil management and other related insects. The short 22-question online survey covering the 2021-25 growing seasons can be found at https://z.umn.edu/alfalfapestsurvey . Reduced alfalfa regrowth due to prior feeding under windrows near Morris, MN. Photo: Anthony Hanson This online survey lets you voice what issues you are seeing in the field first-hand for alfalfa pests. Participating in the survey will help determine what areas of the...

While the University of Minnesota’s crop-specific fertilizer guidelines are updated often on Extension’s website, this is the first time since 2011 that the official publication, Fertilizer Guidelines for Agronomic Crops in Minnesota, has been updated. Download the free publication: z.umn.edu/2023FertilizerGuidelines (PDF) The publication features fertilizer guidelines for 21 crops and cropping systems, a chapter on how to understand your soil test report, and a chapter on lime needs. Each chapter includes everything you need to know about fertilizing the crop, from optimal N-P-K rates to rotation management considerations. Funding for the development of this publication was provided by Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC). Learn more about AFREC at MNsoilfertility.com --- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast wherever you listen and never miss an episode! And don't forget to subscr...

Anthony Hanson (hans4022@umn.edu), Extension IPM Regional Educator, and Bruce Potter, Extension IPM Specialist Mid-May to June is typically the time to begin scouting for insect problems in alfalfa. After our cold spring of 2023, alfalfa weevil adults and larvae are beginning to be found in the southern half of the state. Even if larvae are present, insecticide applications may not be needed if populations are not yield limiting or when alfalfa fields can be harvested soon. Cutting exposes the larvae to weather and can greatly reduce numbers.  Remove windrows as quickly as possible. The larvae are concentrated there, and heavy feeding can delay regrowth. (Fig 1). Scouting through June will determine if control surviving larvae need to be controlled. Also remember that insecticide options are more limited compared to previous years with chlorpyrifos (e.g., Lorsban) applications no longer being allowed. Farmers have been seeing a two-pronged challenge to managing alfalfa weevil in re...

Tyler Rice, UMN Extension Educator for Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties. The Alfalfa Scissor-cut Harvest Alert is updated regularly as alfalfa growth accelerates. The goal of this project is to alert alfalfa growers to start first crop harvest when the crop is at a level of quality that matches animal nutrition goals while maximizing yield potential.  The alfalfa scissor-cut alert program is not a prescription for any particular harvest date but can be a go-to decision tool for those alfalfa producers that are busy managing other crops in the rotation during one of the busiest seasons on the farm. Extension educators, farmer-cooperators and cooperating agribusinesses work together to collect alfalfa scissor-cut samples from mid-May until final harvest. Attached is the scissor cut progress report ending May 22, 2023: Individual farm results - May 22, 2023 Individual farms cumulated results - May 22, 2023 You can also find up to date information on the project at this link: z.u...

Tyler Rice, UMN Extension Educator for Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties With warmer temperatures and adequate precipitation, the alfalfa crop in Central Minnesota is growing rapidly. This also means that the Alfalfa Harvest Alert Project is well underway. The goal of this project is to alert alfalfa growers to start first crop harvest when the crop is at a level of quality that matches animal nutrition goals while maximizing yield potential. The alfalfa scissor-cut alert program is not a prescription for any particular harvest date but can be a go-to decision tool for those alfalfa producers that are busy managing other crops in the rotation during one of the busiest seasons on the farm. Extension educators, farmer-cooperators and cooperating agribusinesses work together to begin collecting alfalfa scissor-cut samples mid-may until harvest. Attached below is the scissor cut progress report beginning the week of May 14th: Individual farm results - May 14-17 You can also find u...

Nathan Drewitz, Local Extension Educator - Crops, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties There are only a few cooperators left to submit samples. Most of the current samples being submitted are from cooperators in the northern area of the program. As fields are cut, keep an eye on alfalfa weevil populations in windrows. Damage can still occur under windrows where larvae are protected. Scouting for alfalfa weevils should occur at least once more following first cutting. Alfalfa Harvest Report June 3rd This program aims to encourage growers to be strategic with alfalfa hay crop harvest. Farmers should make decisions based on their specific feed and market needs and field observations. We also have a tool that contains all of the data from every county and farm that has participated in the Alfalfa Harvest Alert Program since 1997. Go to  z.umn.edu/AlfalfaHarvestAlert  to view that data. You can also get the most recent information through email by signing up at  z.umn.e...

Nathan Drewitz, Local Extension Educator - Crops, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties The Alfalfa Harvest Alert Project is getting close to the end. We already have cooperators who have taken the first cutting and many more who will be doing so before the week ends. We did note issues with lodging in some fields throughout the area. Harvesting lodged alfalfa requires adjustments to help pick up the knocked-over alfalfa plants. Cutting against the direction of the lodged alfalfa will help lift the plants into the blades. Reducing the ground speed of the tractor will also help pick up lodged alfalfa. Disc speed should be kept higher to help with forage pickup. In addition, ensure knives are sharp to improve cutting. You may also lower your cutting height but use caution as going too low may damage the alfalfa crown and reduce the regrowth rate. If the mowing height is set incorrectly, you may also see increased ash content. Mowers with pick-up reels may also help with more severely lo...

Nathan Drewitz, Local Extension Educator - Crops, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties Buds are starting to form at the top of alfalfa canopies which means we are close to first cutting. While stands are shorter this year than usual, consider the tradeoffs with quality as we get into next week. For more information on managing the risks of first cutting check out this recent post here . Alfalfa Harvest Alert for May 27th: Alfalfa Harvest Alert May 27th This program aims to encourage growers to be strategic with alfalfa hay crop harvest. Farmers should make decisions based on their specific feed and market needs and field observations. We also have a tool that contains all of the data from every county and farm that has participated in the Alfalfa Harvest Alert Program since 1997. Go to  z.umn.edu/AlfalfaHarvestAlert  to view that data. You can also get the most recent information through email by signing up at  z.umn.edu/tricountysignup  and clicking the "Hay Aucti...

Nathan Drewitz, Local Extension Educator - Crops, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties Sample collection is taking place throughout most of the participating areas. Reported issues are currently fitting into two categories, hail damage and winterkill.  With the progress made by the stands of our cooperators, these issues appear minor. There are also reports of alfalfa and cloverleaf weevils making appearances throughout stands in the program. Again these problems have remained minimal, and do not yet warrant control. With rumored first harvest dates starting as early as the middle of next week, I expect these problems will not cause much concern. Regardless, stands should continue to be monitored for potential stand and pest problems. Alfalfa Harvest Alert for May 23rd: Alfalfa Harvest Report May 23rd This program aims to encourage growers to be strategic with alfalfa hay crop harvest. Farmers should make decisions based on their specific feed and market needs and field observat...

Nathan Drewitz, Local Extension Educator - Crops, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties The Alfalfa Harvest Alert Program is now underway. This project aims to provide timely alerts on the current conditions of alfalfa throughout the participating areas and help identify the current quality and yield potential of those stands. Farmers should make decisions on their own farms based on their specific feed and market needs and field observations. Sampling starts when alfalfa is 14 - 16 inches tall and continues until the first cutting. Currently, we have cooperators in Sibley, Nicollet, Carver, McLeod, Wright, Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Yellow Medicine counties. We have Wright and Carver counties reporting in with stands between 14 and 16 inches tall. Most of the remaining cooperators will begin sampling next Monday. Alfalfa Harvest Report from May 16th and 18th: Alfalfa Harvest Report May 18th You can also compare the different counties, and farms that have participated in the Alfal...

Nathan Drewitz, Local UMN Extension Educator - Crops, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties Alfalfa harvest began last Monday for the cooperators in the southern portion of the program. At this point, most cooperators from Wright county and south have harvested and are no longer reporting in information. Reports from the remaining cooperators indicate that this weekend could be a very busy harvest week for Central and Western Minnesota. Alfalfa weevils continue to be an issue in Western Minnesota. A recent article on this can be found here . Again, continue to monitor stands for potential pest problems. Alfalfa Harvest Report for May 27th: Alfalfa Harvest Report May 27th The goal of this program is to encourage growers to be strategic with alfalfa hay crop harvest. Farmers should make decisions based on their specific feed and market needs and field observations. You can also compare the different counties and farms that have participated in the Alfalfa Harvest Alert Program since 201...

Nathan Drewitz, Local UMN Extension Educator - Crops, Stearns, Benton, and Morrison Counties All cooperators are now reporting results. Alfalfa harvest has begun as far north as Buckman which means we are almost finished with the Scissor Cut program for this season. There have been some reports of alfalfa weevils in western Minnesota and there is some shot holing in leaves here in central Minnesota. However, pest problems have remained low and the damage present does not yet warrant control. With harvest on the horizon, I would expect these to not be major issues. Regardless, stands should still be monitored for potential pest problems. Alfalfa Harvest Report for May 24th: Alfalfa Harvest Report May 24th The goal of this program is to encourage growers to be strategic with alfalfa hay crop harvest. Farmers should make decisions based on their specific feed and market needs and field observations. You can also compare the different counties and farms that have participated in the Alfa...