Yuma County Office
2200 W. 28^th Street, Ste. 102
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 726-3904
(928) 726-8472 FAX

Production Update:
PDF version, 60KB

Hay Preservatives (Part 2): Chemical hay preservatives include organic acids (especially propionic acid), ammonia, and urea. Propionic acid is generally thought to be the most reliable preservative, although other compounds are also effective. Horses do not relish hay treated with propionic acid, although no evidence exists to date that this compound is harmful to them. Ammonia can be used as a preservative and is often applied in an effort to boost feed value of low quality hay. Anhydrous ammonia applied at rates greater than 3% may cause toxic compounds to form and pass into milk. Urea does not have the volatility and safety problems of ammonia and is an effective preservative.

Insect Management: Clover root curculio adults are small gray and brown mottled weevils that are often confused with Egyptian alfalfa weevil adults (PDF file, 48KB) (photo). Clover root curculio adults have a short blunt snout and are about 2/3 the size of alfalfa weevil adults which have a longer pointed snout. Little is known about the potential damage from clover root curculio. The adults feed on foliage and stems and do not cause economic damage. Larvae feed on roots and on some occasions may cause damage, but the seriousness of this damage has not been assessed. No treatment recommendations exist for this pest. It is important not to confuse the clove root curculio with Egyptian alfalfa weevil.

Weed Control: DON'T WAIT, now is the time to apply preemergence herbicides (PDF file, 26 KB) for summer annual weeds. These weeds could germinate any time now on unshaded soil or in areas where soil temperatures are higher. Remember that it is better to be a month early than a day late.

10 Year Summary (January 29, to February 10, 1993 - 2002):

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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.

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