Farmers Asked to Share Alfalfa Insect Concerns

By Scout Nelson

South Dakota State University Extension is asking alfalfa producers to share their experiences with insect pressure through a new survey focused on alfalfa weevil and related pests. The effort is led by SDSU Extension in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension.

The short online survey includes 22 questions and is designed to collect grower feedback on insect management challenges in alfalfa fields. SDSU Extension works with Anthony Hanson from the University of Minnesota Extension program to gather responses from forage producers across the region. The goal is to better understand what growers are seeing in their fields and where current management tools may be falling short.

Extension specialists note growing concerns with alfalfa weevil control. Philip Rozeboom, SDSU Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, and Adam Varenhorst, associate professor, and SDSU Extension Field Crop Entomologist, say there have been reports of pesticides not working as well as expected in recent years. They also point out that alfalfa weevil populations are larger than normal during the 2025 growing season, increasing pressure on forage crops.

Alfalfa weevil feeding can reduce yield and quality, making effective management important for livestock producers and hay growers. By collecting information directly from farmers, Extension programs hope to identify trends, gaps in knowledge, and research needs related to insect pressure in alfalfa.

The information gathered from the survey will help Extension teams across the Midwest improve educational programs and guide future research. This may include better scouting advice, updated control recommendations, and new strategies to manage insect resistance.

Grower participation is important to ensure Extension resources match real field conditions. The survey results will support efforts to protect alfalfa productivity and help farmers make informed pest management decisions.

Producers can take part in the survey online.

For more information, contact hans4022@umn.edu, UM Extension Integrated Pest Management Educator; philip.rozeboom@sdstate.edu, SDSU Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, or Adam.Varenhorst@sdstate.edu, associate professor and SDSU Extension Field Crop Entomologist.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-gabrielabertolini