Alfalfa Weevil

Jun 21, 2022

Unsettled weather with periods of rain prevailed this week, disrupting fieldwork but increasing soil moisture supplies for emerging crops. A complex of early-week storms brought beneficial rainfall of 1-2 inches to much of the state, while temperatures were at or below normal for this time of year. A few rain showers lingered into Wednesday evening before warm, drier weather returned, allowing farmers to continue planting the last acres of corn, oats, potatoes and soybeans. Corn planting was 89% complete and more than 73% of the crop had emerged as of June 5, seven days behind last year but one day ahead of the 5-year average. Alfalfa producers harvested a remarkable 38% of the first crop during the week, for a state average of 51% to date (with regionally higher averages of 60-70% across the southern crop districts). Meanwhile, apple growers are reporting vigorous foliar growth, good fruit set, and minimal tree stress in their orchards this spring. Prospects for the state’s crops are very favorable as of early June.

Alfalfa Weevil

Surveys in first-crop alfalfa across southern Wisconsin indicate alfalfa weevil populations and defoliation levels are generally moderate, with a few higher pressure fields concentrated in the southwestern counties. Average counts in 72 fields have ranged from 0.1-4.8 weevil larvae per sweep (480 per 100 sweeps). Elevated counts above 2.0 larvae per sweep were recorded in approximately 20% of the fields.

Similarly, estimates of leaf tip feeding made by DATCP surveyors have exceeded the 40% economic threshold in 15% of the fields sampled (see map below). These higher pressure fields, located primarily in Green, Grant, Lafayette and Sauk counties have likely been harvested, but carryover of larvae into second-crop regrowth may be a concern. Routine scouting is encouraged until new growth is established.

The peak weevil damage period, which occurs between 600 and 800 degree days (sine base 48°F), is underway in southern and central Wisconsin and will begin next week in the eastern and northern areas. The base 48°F column in the degree day table provided on DATCP’s Pest Survey web page shows Beloit has accumulated 715 weevil degree days, Madison has reached 650 degree days, and La Crosse has 621 weevil degree days as of June 8.

weevil

Across the lower half of the state where the harvest of first-crop alfalfa is beyond 50% complete, the early-season alfalfa weevil threat will subside as nearly all remaining fields are cut in the next few days. However, for north-central and northwestern Wisconsin, scouting for alfalfa weevil larvae and leaf tip feeding damage should be prioritized for the week ahead.

Source : wisc.edu

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.