Monitoring Your Alfalfa Fields for Weevil
Joshua Putman, Field Crops and Forage Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Scouting for the alfalfa weevil involves walking a random pattern in the field and stopping to collect a stem every 10 steps. Once you have 10 stems, visually inspect the stems for weevil tip-feeding injury, and count each stem showing tip-feeding injury within the top three inches to determine a percentage of damaged stems. Repeat this collection of 10 random stems five more times throughout the field for a total of 50 stems inspected. Repeat this scouting in different patterns within the field weekly. Field Crops Specialist, Josh Putman, is monitoring alfalfa fields in SWNY to properly document and manage this pest. More information can be found through the Cornell University Integrated Pest Management Program.
Upcoming Events
Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop - East Aurora
October 21, 2025 : Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop - East Aurora
East Aurora, NY
This workshop will explain why regularly testing fecal egg counts can help you with understanding your animals' parasite loads and dewormer resistance. Attendees have the opportunity to prepare and evaluate fresh fecal samples under the microscope and practice interpretations.
Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop - Jamestown
October 30, 2025 : Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop - Jamestown
Jamestown, NY
This workshop will explain why regularly testing fecal egg counts can help you with understanding your animals' parasite loads and dewormer resistance. Attendees have the opportunity to prepare and evaluate fresh fecal samples under the microscope and practice interpretations.
2025 Annual Cornell Sheep and Goat Symposium Day 1
October 31, 2025 : 2025 Annual Cornell Sheep and Goat Symposium Day 1
Join sheep and goat production experts for three days of informational lectures, hands-on experiences, and demonstrations around sheep and goat production and management. The symposium starts on Friday, October 31 and runs through Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Announcements
Herbicide Resistance Screening
We are screening weed species for herbicide resistance.Species we are looking for include, but aren't limited to:
- Tall Waterhemp
- Palmer Amaranth
- Marestail
- Redroot Pigweed
- Foxtails
- Common Lambsquarters
- Common Ragweed
Reach out to Katelyn Miller at 716-640-2047 or km753@cornell.edu for more information.