Another alfalfa weevil scouting article was recently released by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (Click here to see tips from the University of Illinois.) Extension specialists explain the life cycle of the alfalfa weevil consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult beetle or weevil. The first indications of weevil injury are small holes eaten in leaves at the growing tip during April and May. This injury becomes more apparent as weevil larvae grow.

Alfalfa producers, consultants, and dealers are encouraged to follow the "predictive equations for alfalfa quality" (PEAQ) technique, which predicts optimum dates for first cuttings by monitoring plant development and quality.

Cornell University researchers evaluated the impact of semisolid dairy manure application rate and timing on the yield and quality of orchardgrass. The study was reported in the Agronomy Journal, March-April 2010 issue.

Although corn planting is a priority this time of year, don't forget about keeping an eye out for alfalfa weevils.  "Scouting is important to determine whether or not economic infestations are present and to determine if rescue treatments or an early harvest are warranted," said Mike Gray, University of Illinois Extension entomologist.

According to research at the University of Illinois, Sudangrass is proving to be an effective summer smother crop.

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The state of Ohio produced record corn yields last year, and now that growers know what their fields can do, they're hoping to extract even more this year, says Ohio State University Extension agronomist Peter Thomison.

In conjunction with World Dairy Expo, the 27th Annual World Forage Analysis Superbowl will award over $20,000 in cash prizes. Special thanks goes to Mycogen Seeds, the contest’s Platinum Sponsor. Case IH is the contest’s newest sponsor and will award the Grand Champion Forage Producer with a check for $2,500.