Justin McMechan - Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist

Justin McMechan

faculty

Asst Professor Entomology University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Work Entomology Hall (ENTO) 105B

Lincoln NE 68583-0816

Work 402-624-8041 On campus, dial 7-8041

justin.mcmechan@unl.edu

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Faculty Bio
Introduction to CropWatch Readers
Crop Infographics
Previous CW Contributions:

Control Volunteer Winter Wheat and Other Weeds Now to Increase and Protect 2017 Yields, Income (2016)

Hail Damage in Corn (2016)

Video: Listen and Watch Corn Grow (2016)

Video: UNL 7-Day Time Lapse of Corn Recovery from Hail Damage (2016)

Scout Emerging Corn for Insects; Don’t Assume Protection

May 11, 2022

As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential for damage from early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms, white grubs or other insects.

Soybean Gall Midge Identified in Eight Additional Nebraska Counties

September 1, 2021

Soybean gall midge (SGM) injury and pressure varied considerably across its geographic range, with the largest concentration of injured soybean fields occurring in east-central Nebraska this season. To date, a total of 140 Midwestern counties have been identified as infested with SGM.

Grasshoppers Return ― It’s Time to Scout Field Borders

July 12, 2021

Populations of immature grasshoppers are being reported in areas bordering crop fields in several parts of Nebraska. If these grasshopper species are one of the four major species that are likely to infest cropland, control may be warranted if high numbers are present.

Virus infected wheat — **Figure 1.** The wheat-mite-virus complex has extreme potential to impact yield the following year if high risk volunteer wheat situations are not managed well. (Photo by Gary Hein)

Results of Not Controlling Volunteer Wheat in Wheat Stubble — Soil Water Loss and Disease

June 29, 2021

Volunteer wheat can provide the summer "green bridge" for the disease wheat streak mosaic and other virus diseases, as well as soil water loss that could translate into a substantial decrease in yields the following year.

Hail damaged corn — Corn around V10-11 with leaves stripped due to hail damage. In this case, much of the corn will recover and look better in 10-14 days. Watch stalk bruising to see if stalk rot sets in. There are fields with hail damage at lower stalks with weakened plants that easily break. Soybeans at R1 (beginning flowering) reduced to sticks north of Stromsburg and in Hordville area. Soybeans with damage like this at the R1 stage can have the greatest yield loss in spite of seeing new buds regrowing with the warm weather. Another concern will be weed control going forward. (Photos by Jenny Rees)

Mid-Season Hail Damage Assessments in Corn and Soybeans

June 25, 2021

When severe storms and hail hit your corn and soybean fields, it's important to estimate yield losses to determine the need for future inputs and alternative management strategies. This guide offers steps to evaluate mid-season hail damage and estimate potential yield losses.