It has been a slow start to the hay season this year with the extreme drought we had to begin the year but now the pastures and hayfields are really loving the rain from this past weekend. I have had some calls in the past couple weeks with failed stand establishment of Tif 85, it seems the culprit for these stand failures was due to the drought at establishment as well as as weed infestation in the fields. Here is a link to the UGA Bermudagrass in Georgia publication with information on establishing bermudagrass and the recommendations for weed control at establishment. Weed control at establishment is critical! If you had a stand failure or are wondering if it is too late to sprig, it is not to late but the sooner the better. In the publication it states to plant Tif 85, Tif 44, Tif 78, Coastal, and Alicia by late July and that plantings made after late August in south Georgia may not develop a rhizome system sufficient for winter survival.
Below is information from Dr. Baxter received this month.
Forage Insect Updates:
There are a couple forage insect pests we need to keep our eyes out for:
- Bermudagrass stem maggot. The BSM is starting to wake up. Here is the best resource to follow until our Extension bulletin is updated: https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cft2.20269
- Pasture mealybug. There have been no reports of the pasture mealybug yet in Georgia. The closest confirmed reports are in south/central FL. Control options are limited and it looks like biosecurity may be the best option. This is the best resource available on this pest: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/pasture-mealybug/
- Map for tracking: https://www.eddmaps.org/distribution/uscounty.cfm?sub=110977
- Fall armyworm. There have been no reports of the FAW yet but it’s always a good day to scout! Got questions on the FAW? Check out this bulletin: https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/B1583/fall-armyworm-management-in-pastures-and-hayfields/
Forage Weeds Updates:
Two new publications have been released regarding weeds in forages. One is on Toxic Weed ID and Smutgrass Control. Links to those publications are below.
Identifying Toxic Weeds: https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/B1597/identifying-toxic-weeds-in-georgia-pastures-hayfields/
Smutgrass Control: https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1367/smutgrass-control-in-pastures-and-hayfields/