Producers are being advised to keep a look out for any problems with alfalfa weevils.

The last big issue we had with the alfalfa weevil was back in 2012 when we had a mild winter and early spring with warm temperatures.

Regional forage specialist Nadia Mori says research shows the insects will overwinter in the soil and debris then lay eggs in early spring. She notes it's the emerging larvae that cause the problems.

"When the larva that has to go through four stages of development, when it hits that second and third stage it starts to consume a lot of leaf material and we see some significant damage in the alfalfa plant," she says.

Alfalfa weevils can reduce the quality and hay yield by 50 per cent, with alfalfa being the main crop affected. Mori says the main method of control is to hay the crop early, or if numbers warrant, use an insecticide.