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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
  
Location: Idaho | Soo, I was planning to add alfalfa pellets/cubes to my horses diet. But I know alfalfa is overall avoided out here due to Blister beetles.
If I were to buy alfalfa cubes/pellets from a local feed store.. would I have to worry about that? And even if I do get pellets or cubes.. would I have to worry about blister beetles infesting the bags or containers?? Should I even risk it?
Edited by DashNDustem 2016-04-03 3:40 PM
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 Saint Stacey
| If your area is prone to blister beetles, and your feed store mills its own pellets, then you might have a problem. It really depends on their practices. Since pellets are dried and cooked, you shouldn't have a problem with beetles infesting the pellets since they aren't the standing raw forage. |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | We feed alfalfa pellets. We have had NO issues with blister beetles. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | TwistedK - 2016-04-04 7:38 AM
We feed alfalfa pellets. We have had NO issues with blister beetles.
Same here, we're in SE KS |
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 Veteran
Posts: 274
| Not to high jack the thread, however is blister beetles a problem in Minnesota? |
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | Warriors Mom - 2016-04-04 1:16 PM
Not to high jack the thread, however is blister beetles a problem in Minnesota?
Lets see if this works.
 (BlisterBeetles.jpg)
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 BlisterBeetles.jpg (8KB - 169 downloads)
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | komet. - 2016-04-04 1:35 PM Warriors Mom - 2016-04-04 1:16 PM Not to high jack the thread, however is blister beetles a problem in Minnesota? Lets see if this works.
Wow I didn't know Minnesota was affected. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | No worries, Educated is always important!!
TwistedK, where do you get your pellets from? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | Blister beetles are in just about every state. The biggest risks the farther East and South you go. Beetles can be in the pellets, cubes, even alfalfa meal in bagged concentrates, the same as in hay. Now they wont be in after harvesting so bringing in blister free hay is not an issue. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | Tdove - 2016-04-05 1:55 PM
Blister beetles are in just about every state. The biggest risks the farther East and South you go. Beetles can be in the pellets, cubes, even alfalfa meal in bagged concentrates, the same as in hay. Now they wont be in after harvesting so bringing in blister free hay is not an issue.
Well, what I have read as even if they die or are killed during the harvest, that even if they are gone, their toxins still linger on the hay which causes problems.. as it is incredibly toxic to horses. This is what I am worried about, but if I can find a place that provides blister beetle free pellets/cubes.. that would be awesome. I'm just rather cautious about it. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I would love to feed alfalfa but the beetles are why I won't. I just don't know how you would KNOW the hay was safe. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | DashNDustem - 2016-04-04 8:21 PM
Tdove - 2016-04-05 1:55 PM
Blister beetles are in just about every state. The biggest risks the farther East and South you go. Beetles can be in the pellets, cubes, even alfalfa meal in bagged concentrates, the same as in hay. Now they wont be in after harvesting so bringing in blister free hay is not an issue.
Well, what I have read as even if they die or are killed during the harvest, that even if they are gone, their toxins still linger on the hay which causes problems.. as it is incredibly toxic to horses. This is what I am worried about, but if I can find a place that provides blister beetle free pellets/cubes.. that would be awesome. I'm just rather cautious about it.
You are correct, but that isn't what I was referring to. I would consider that infested during harvest. I was meaning after it is baled, then transporting and storing alfalfa will not then get blister beetles. I thought there was a question with that concern. However, cubes and pellets are no different than baled hay. If they are made from hay that has beetle concerns, then so will the pellets or cubes. Sorry for any confusion about my previous post. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | Griz - 2016-04-05 5:19 AM
I would love to feed alfalfa but the beetles are why I won't. I just don't know how you would KNOW the hay was safe.
There are a lot of safe sources of alfalfa. It should not be a reason to avoid it altogether. Just find a safe source and you shouldn't have any problems. In many, many areas, I think there is good reason to be concerned with EPM in grass hays.
Edited by Tdove 2016-04-05 8:53 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | Tdove - 2016-04-06 6:50 AM
DashNDustem - 2016-04-04 8:21 PM
Tdove - 2016-04-05 1:55 PM
Blister beetles are in just about every state. The biggest risks the farther East and South you go. Beetles can be in the pellets, cubes, even alfalfa meal in bagged concentrates, the same as in hay. Now they wont be in after harvesting so bringing in blister free hay is not an issue.
Well, what I have read as even if they die or are killed during the harvest, that even if they are gone, their toxins still linger on the hay which causes problems.. as it is incredibly toxic to horses. This is what I am worried about, but if I can find a place that provides blister beetle free pellets/cubes.. that would be awesome. I'm just rather cautious about it.
You are correct, but that isn't what I was referring to. I would consider that infested during harvest. I was meaning after it is baled, then transporting and storing alfalfa will not then get blister beetles. I thought there was a question with that concern. However, cubes and pellets are no different than baled hay. If they are made from hay that has beetle concerns, then so will the pellets or cubes. Sorry for any confusion about my previous post.
Hey! Sorry for the late reply, don't get on here that much. But yes, that was a concern and thank you much for clarifying that for me!! :) |
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