Berseem Clover

As a result of media coverage last fall, there is growing interest in overseeding alfalfa with berseem clover. Berseem is a winter annual legume that begins growing in late winter before alfalfa comes out of dormancy. Because it is a legume it has protein values similar to alfalfa and feeding quality is high so it has potential for "milk cow hay." Egyptian alfalfa weevil does not feed on it. Some growers in the Sacramento area are using berseem clover to boost their first cutting yields either in new or old stands. There may even be potential for this crop to be planted by itself as a winter crop and then followed with corn, beans, or possibly cotton.

There are "one-cut" and "multi-cut" berseem clovers. One-cut varieties don't regrow following an early spring harvest. Multi-cut varieties will grow back for two or possibly more cuttings.

Until this season, little work had been done with berseem clover in this part of the San Joaquin Valley. The trial at the West Side Field Station is a variety trial which will provide information on those varieties that perform best in our climate. Of particular interest is how many cuts will be taken with the multi-cut types as our spring weather is often hotter than the Stockton and Sacramento areas where current information has been developed. Two cuttings will have been taken prior to this field meeting so yield data will be available.

Alfalfa Variety Trial

Alfalfa variety characteristics and selecting which are best for your field will be discussed. The trial planted last October was hit hard by Sclerotinia stem and crown rot ("white mold") so recovery from that disease may be evident.

Summer Worm Management

The proper method for monitoring summer worm populations will be demonstrated and the materials available for use will be discussed.

Using Gypsum Blocks to Trouble Shoot Irrigation Problems

It is difficult to apply specific irrigation amounts with flood irrigation and often difficult simply to know how much water was applied without using a water meter. Growers often wonder in January and February, when there is sometimes ditch water available, if they should irrigate to fill the soil profile. Gypsum blocks are relatively inexpensive and easy to install yet they can give important information regarding soil moisture in the profile, depth of wetting with irrigations, and number of irrigations needed between cuttings. Installation tips and interpretation of readings will be covered.