In the Midwest and Eastern US, PLH are considered the most damaging insect pest to alfalfa yield and quality. PLH damage can lead to stunting, lower yields, reduced crude protein content, loss of forage palatability, and loss of stand density.
Here's some general information on PLH damage and management.
General Information
PLH control is generally needed during July and August in the Midwest and Eastern U.S.
Hot growing conditions can cause PLH populations to increase very quickly.
Pay special attention to new seedings and 3rd crop regrowth.
Threshold: 1 adult in 10 sweeps. Adults at threshold are an indication deadly immatures are not far behind. Immatures (nymphs) are the most damaging stage of PLH.
Do not spray stubble for PLH control; wait for 3-4 inches regrowth or about 5-6 days to entice PLH back into fields.
PLH can cause severe damage to alfalfa plants before the yellow “burn” appears on leaves; Use a sweep net to detect PLH before symptoms appear. Once symptoms appear, damage is already done.
Damage:
PLH causes a yellow V-shaped “hopper burn” pattern on leaves. Cell sap is extracted from plants, damaging the plant’s plumbing system (phloem and xylem), restricting water and nutrient flow.
“Hopper burn” is a result from the PLH injecting a toxin during nutrient extraction. Once the classic yellow Vshaped pattern appears, the damage is done. Purple coloration often occurs as plant sugars produced in leaves are unable to be processed normally.
Stunted plants will have reduced root growth, water usage and weeds can often gain advantage.
Reduces yield potential; yield losses up to 0.5 DM Ton/acre per cutting or more.
Reduces quality and crude protein, increases nondigestible NDF fiber levels resulting in reduced forage intakes and palatability.
Weakens alfalfa plant health allowing for other foliar diseases and stress to alfalfa.
New seedings are especially susceptible to PLH damage and can result in yield
CROPLAN Forage Specialist Jeff Jackson provides more information on potato leafhoppers in alfalfa in this video:
Contact your local Premier agronomist for more information on PLH management.
Fall is here and harvest is underway for most of our area. Our grain facilities located in Mazomanie, Mineral Point, Richland Center, and Westby are anxiously awaiting this year’s crop. A few weeks ago, the Premier grain team spent the day reviewing safety and operational procedures to better prepare to serve our members’ needs during the upcoming season. Whether you need help hauling this year’s crop to the elevator or are still looking to finalize your grain marketing plan, give us a call. Our knowledgeable staff is looking forward to working with you to make this year’s harvest as safe and smooth as possible. Our team will do their best to meet your needs and they always appreciate the communication of trucking needs and your planned delivery dates. Thanks for your support and please be safe this harvest season.
As corn silage season concludes, it’s important to take a moment to recognize the dedication and long hours that went into securing the feed you’ll rely on throughout the coming year. We all aim to put up the highest quality feed possible, but in the rush of long hours during a short harvest window, it’s easy to lose sight of our true goal. Ultimately, we’re working to produce feed that is consistent, clean, and rich in nutrients. Once that hard work is done, the next critical phase is feedout. Here are a few key things to keep in mind as you move forward.
We had a good ending to our energy division fiscal year, so I’m glad I’m still here this month to write this newsletter article.
Since 2020, we have increased our delivery efficiency (gallons per mile) by 17.4%. We’ve also dropped the number of miles driven by 21% comparing 2025 to 2020. That equates to 66,776 less miles this year than in 2020. In other words, we saved about 2.7 circumnavigations of the globe, conserving over 13,000 gallons of diesel fuel we would have used to power our propane delivery trucks. Less diesel consumption means less pollution. Heck, we’re saving the planet without even trying.
