Managing Pastures After a Big Pasture Mealybug Year
Last summer and fall we learned what Pasture Dieback was the hard way as many pastures and hayfields experienced grass loss caused by the pasture mealybug. What we know at this point is mostly what we can learn from the Australians, who have been studying the insect pest for over 10 years. The primary solutions they have found in Australia are: Manage for Recovery Improve the Pasture Sow a Break Crop Treat the Pest/Pathogen Manage for Recovery The best thing to do in the winter and spring is to manage the pasture for recovery from last year's damage. This includes fertilizing at proper rates, managing invading weeds, and adjusting stocking rates to forage production. I understand rainfall will have a significant impact on all these management practices. Fertilization is a key to production of healthy hay and forage. While some research shows high fertility rates can also cause mealybug populations to increase, this may be manageable by grazing ...
