Frodo - 2016-02-22 1:23 PM

I live in Kansas and bought alfalfa locally (this was a long time ago) that made two horses very sick.  We managed to save them both.  I'm still feeding alfalfa to our two old-timers, taking the chance because of their age.  They love it and are so hard to keep weight on.  

It was mentioned above buying alfalfa in loose bales....they would crawl out.  It's my understanding it's the crimper in the hay baler that kills them so I can't see where that would make any difference.   

FlyingJT - 2016-02-22 3:07 PM There's no crimper in a baler, that would be the swather and you are correct; a crimper, crusher, macerator, would kill the bugs. However, I can honestly say I have never purchased hay that was ran threw a roller and recently all the hay I've looked at hasn't either. I think it's because of the possibility of blister beetles that it's not a common practice here in Oklahoma. Every farmer knows the dangers of blister beetles.