Reminder: Field day to address use of alfalfa to fight pigweed this Friday
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Aug. 19, 2019
Fast Facts:
- Use of alfalfa to control pigweed may be effective alternative to herbicides
- Aug. 23 at Cherry Valley
- No cost to attend
- Call 501-671-2171 to register
- Second field day on same topic scheduled for Sept. 9 at Pocahontas
(196 words)
(Download this story in MS Word format here.)
UPDATE: This field day, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 23, has been postponed. The Sept. 9 field day in Pocahontas remains scheduled.
CHERRY VALLEY, Ark. – Herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth, commonly known as pigweed, can be a costly problem for farmers. As the weed becomes increasingly unfazed by available chemistries, some growers may find that reuniting with an older approach may be the new tool they’ve been seeking.
Researchers and agronomists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are now researching the efficacy of using alfalfa cover crops to slow or defeat the seemingly-unstoppable weed.
On Friday, Aug. 23, John Jennings, extension forage specialist for the Division of Agriculture and the primary investigator for this research, and others will offer a field day to discuss their findings.
“There is no pigweed that can stand up to being mowed every 30 days, when alfalfa hay is harvested,” Jennings said.
Discussion topics include pigweed biology and control, economics and alfalfa planting and management. All interested crop and livestock producers are encouraged to attend one or both field days.
To register and help with meal planning, please call Linda McCargo at 501-671-2171. There is no cost to attend.
To learn about weed control in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact 501-671-2171 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
# # #
Media Contact: Ryan McGeeney
Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu