Army Worms in hay patch

[Kfbeal]

After the worst drought I've ever seen, we received 3.5" of rain to really green up the pastures and spring the hay patches to growing we are now facing army worms. We have a real good chance of cutting some decent hay now with the recent rain today also.

We were looking and found a great deal of army worms. What have you all sprayed in the past for army worms? The hay is alicia grass, hybrid of bermuda like jiggs.

The local coop recommended using Mustang Max. They say 1 gallon will cover 32-35 acres but lists at $192/gallon at $6/acre. Are there any other alternatives? Other than Liquid Sevin at $10/acre.

We have about 20 acres and hate to get my boom sprayer ready as it would take some time. I'm wondering if my boomless nozzles on my 4-wheeler would be sufficient? It has a 20' or so swath but only 30 gallon tank.

 

[Western]

I had them once years ago, I didn't have time to spray anything. I just went out and spent 2 days shredding it as close to the ground as possible, 2 days later they were gone. At least I was left with some stubble.

 

[JESSE1]

We've always used powered Sevin mixed with water and sprayed on the pasture. I have my 300 gallon sprayer filled with water so all I have to do is add the Sevin.

 

[bumpercrop]

Try using Adjourn. It has been a few years since I have used it but I remember it being easier to use and considerably cheaper than Sevin.

 

[teg]

It's a bit late to give you information about it now... You need to know how large the armyworms are. If they are large the chemical will likely not work as well but they will cycle through and become pupa in a few days (which will make it seem like the chemical did the trick... but if they were large worms, it really didn't kill as many as you might think).

How did it all turn out? The atv would have been fine, other then the higher exposure level - make sure the sprayer is calibrated to put out the correct amount of chemical and make sure it's not too windy and don't get the chemical on you.

 

[North of 45]

Our hay crops in Southern Ontario have been getting hammered by these worms. I didn't realize I had a problem until 1 cut and lost about 2/3 of my yeilds. I have been looking on line and and have come to the conclusion that I should have sprayed in the early spring because we had a very mild winter that allowed the pupa to survive. That combined with a warm May and June allowed for the pests to flurish. When I cut, the larva were at or almost at full maturity.

Of all the things I have read, I still have a few questions and hoped that someone here my have some answers.

1- Can you get more that 1 generation of armyworms per year?

2- I know that armyworms like standing hay and tend to leave the field when it is cut baled; but is it worthwhile spraying now to kill off any of the remaining larva/pupa to increase 2nd and possibly 3rd cuts yeilds?

3- Does cutting alone prevent a reoccarance of larva for this year?

 

[blueriver]

Our hay crops in Southern Ontario have been getting hammered by these worms. I didn't realize I had a problem until 1 cut and lost about 2/3 of my yeilds. I have been looking on line and and have come to the conclusion that I should have sprayed in the early spring because we had a very mild winter that allowed the pupa to survive. That combined with a warm May and June allowed for the pests to flurish. When I cut, the larva were at or almost at full maturity.

Of all the things I have read, I still have a few questions and hoped that someone here my have some answers.

1- Can you get more that 1 generation of armyworms per year?

2- I know that armyworms like standing hay and tend to leave the field when it is cut baled; but is it worthwhile spraying now to kill off any of the remaining larva/pupa to increase 2nd and possibly 3rd cuts yeilds?

3- Does cutting alone prevent a reoccarance of larva for this year?

Old thread but one worth watching ... I have not yet had that experience. Will be watching my fields close.

 

[Duffster]

Our hay crops in Southern Ontario have been getting hammered by these worms. I didn't realize I had a problem until 1 cut and lost about 2/3 of my yeilds. I have been looking on line and and have come to the conclusion that I should have sprayed in the early spring because we had a very mild winter that allowed the pupa to survive. That combined with a warm May and June allowed for the pests to flurish. When I cut, the larva were at or almost at full maturity.

Of all the things I have read, I still have a few questions and hoped that someone here my have some answers.

1- Can you get more that 1 generation of armyworms per year?

2- I know that armyworms like standing hay and tend to leave the field when it is cut baled; but is it worthwhile spraying now to kill off any of the remaining larva/pupa to increase 2nd and possibly 3rd cuts yeilds?

3- Does cutting alone prevent a reoccarance of larva for this year?

1. Yes. We have seen multiple generations at the same time.

2. Best to cut it now and then keep a close eye on it and spray in a timely fashion if needed on the next crop.

3. No.

We mix Lorisban in the dry fertilizer as a cheap prevention.

As to the OP applying insecticide with a fan nozzle is just asking to be taking a bath in it.

 

[North of 45]

Thanks for your input. I think all you guys in the south have a leg up on us when it comes to this given your warmer climate and longer growing seasons.

I spoke with a crop specialist up here and he advised to spray with Corigen (Im not sure of the spelling) should there be a second generation or worms. I guess this stuff has a 2 week residual but also allows me to harvest almost immediatley after application. This would be good especially because I figure that the pupas will be hatched and moths will be laying eggs by the time 2 cut is ready.

Regarding the Lorisban. Do you use the granular or wet application mixed with the dry fertilizer. If you use the granular; what dosage /strength do you use. The specialist advised that depending on the dosage, the province may only allow the granular Lorisban if it is tilled in the soil.

Since the Lorisiban has such a long use-to -harvest date I am assuming that you only use the Lorisban in the fall after your harvest season is complete.

 

[Duffster]

Thanks for your input. I think all you guys in the south have a leg up on us when it comes to this given your warmer climate and longer growing seasons.

I spoke with a crop specialist up here and he advised to spray with Corigen (Im not sure of the spelling) should there be a second generation or worms. I guess this stuff has a 2 week residual but also allows me to harvest almost immediatley after application. This would be good especially because I figure that the pupas will be hatched and moths will be laying eggs by the time 2 cut is ready.

Regarding the Lorisban. Do you use the granular or wet application mixed with the dry fertilizer. If you use the granular; what dosage /strength do you use. The specialist advised that depending on the dosage, the province may only allow the granular Lorisban if it is tilled in the soil.

Since the Lorisiban has such a long use-to -harvest date I am assuming that you only use the Lorisban in the fall after your harvest season is complete.

We use liquid Lorisban up to 1 gallon per 5 acres. You can harvest hay in a few weeks after application.