MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi forage producers are experiencing a major invasion of fall armyworms for the second consecutive year in pastures and hay fields across the state.

Blake Layton, a Mississippi State University Extension Service entomologist, said fall armyworm populations were unusually heavy last year with treatable populations reaching north Mississippi relatively early in the year and eventually extending into Tennessee. In 2010, the southern part of Mississippi needed treatments starting in early June.

“Fall armyworms can cause heavy forage losses, especially in highly managed bermudagrass hay fields,” Layton said. “Growers need to check hay fields and pastures regularly. Failure to detect and treat a developing fall armyworm infestation in a timely manner can result in the loss of a cutting of hay or loss of valuable grazing.”

Layton said protecting forage from fall armyworms can require a lot of spraying. Some producers make six or more treatments during heavy fall armyworm years.

“Scout for fall armyworms by vigorously shaking the grass in a 1-square-foot area and then carefully counting the larvae that have fallen to the ground. Repeat in several locations in the field, and average your results,” he said. “Look carefully for small caterpillars. Treat when counts reach five to seven larvae per square foot.”

Layton said there have been significant improvements in the treatment options available in recent years.

“Many of the new products are cheaper, more effective, provide longer residual control or have more favorable preharvest intervals than the products we have traditionally relied on for fall armyworm control,” Layton said.

Rick Simmonds, a producer in Noxubee County, said armyworms have been at near-record levels on his farm.

“We didn’t expect to see that many so soon. We had to treat much earlier than normal,” Simmonds said. “They can do a lot of damage very quickly, but sprays are effective if you catch the field in time.”

Extension forage and grazing systems specialist Rocky Lemus said the armyworms arrived just as pastures and fields were recovering from the harsh winter.

“We had about a two-week delay in the growing season this spring. The yields from the first hay cuttings were 20 percent to 30 percent below normal,” Lemus said. “The winter hurt some bermudagrass fields due to poor fertility, especially low potassium levels, and those with greater losses had to be reseeded or renovated.”

Adequate rainfall and warm temperatures have helped most pastures recover. Growers now are turning their attention to weed control and fertilizer needs.

“The best time to use herbicides for weed control in established pasture is during early winter or early spring when weeds are actively growing,” Lemus said. “Herbicides will work better and cost less than mowing in most cases when applied at appropriate times.”

As the fall approaches and producers begin thinking about cool-season forages, Lemus said armyworms can be a problem in early-planted ryegrass or small grains. The recommended planting dates for winter annuals in southern Mississippi are from early September to late October. In northern Mississippi, winter annuals are sod-seeded in mid-September to late October. Producers can overseed warm-season grasses in the southern part of the state in November.

For more information on forage production, Mississippi cattle producers have until Aug. 17 to register for MSU’s pasture and forage short course. The Aug. 24-25 workshop costs $100 per person or $75 each if two or more people from the same farm or organization attend. The fee covers meals, training sessions, the Mississippi Grazing Manual and other educational materials. The event will be held at MSU’s Bost Conference Center.

Program topics include nutrient cycling in pastures, weed management, economics of grazing systems, legume management, hay production and quality, grazing systems, animal nutrition, fencing demonstrations, and sprayer and drill calibrations. The short course will feature demonstrations and a trade show.

Contact Lemus at (662) 325-7718 or [email protected], or Tammy Scott at (662) 325-2701 for more information.