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.
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So, You Want to Start a Farm Stand?
May 12, 2026
Learn what questions to ask yourself before you start, and how to navigate topics like local zoning laws, insurance, and food safety regulations.
Artificial Insemination Training For Cattle Producers
June 5 - June 6, 2026
Arkport, NY
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2026 Multi-Species Pasture Walk at the Vanstrom Homestead
June 20, 2026 : 2026 Multi-Species Pasture Walk at the Vanstrom Homestead
Kennedy, NY
Our team is partnering with Chautauqua Co Soil and Water, WNY Crop Mangement, and the Vanstrom Homestead to bring you a pasture walk and hands-on workshop series. Topics include multi-species grazing, forage sampling/results interpretation, soil sampling/results interpretation, and a high tensile fence installment.
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