Justin McMechan - Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist

Justin McMechan

faculty
  • Asst Professor University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Work
1071 County Rd G Ithaca NE 68033-2234
US
Work 402-624-8041 On campus, dial 7-8041
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Faculty Bio
Introduction to CropWatch Readers
Crop Infographics
Previous CW Contributions:
wireworm

Scout Emerging Corn for Insects; Don't Take Protection for Granted

May 16, 2018
As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential for damage from early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms, white grubs or wheat stem maggot. Seed treatments provide some protection, but can be overwhelmed in some circumstances, allowing losses.

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Figure 1. Seasonal ecology of wheat stem maggot (Allen 1933) overlaid on 2017 field issues. Arrows indicate likely source of infestation started with adult movement in the spring.
Figure 1. Seasonal ecology of wheat stem maggot (Allen 1933) overlaid on 2017 field issues. Arrows indicate likely source of infestation started with adult movement in the spring.

Wheat Stem Maggot Adult Monitoring: A Pest of Cover Crop-to-Corn Transitions

April 25, 2018
This article looks at wheat stem maggots in cover crops-to-corn transitions, including their biology, risk for damage to early season corn, and what to look for this spring.

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Cover crop field with mixed-species plantings
Later season field of cover crops in southeastern Nebraska. (Photo by Paul Jasa)

Timing of Cover Crop Termination and Related Factors

April 20, 2018
Should the cold spring delay cover crop termination? Growers walk a fine line between growing cover crops long enough to get the biomass they want without reducing yield in the following grain crop. This discussion from an agronomist, entomologist and weed scientist looks at various factors to consider.

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Figure 1. Rye cover crop planted in small sections of field for erosion control. Center photo shows a section of ground where cover crop did not establish with normally developing plants. Damaged corn plants were primarily restricted to areas where cover crop was present.
Figure 1. Rye cover crop planted in small sections of field for erosion control. Center photo shows a section of ground where cover crop did not establish with normally developing plants. Damaged corn plants were primarily restricted to areas where cover crop was present.

Wheat Stem Maggot in Corn: Plan on Scouting Your Cover Crop Fields This Spring

March 8, 2018
Wheat stem maggots were an issue for some eastern and southern Nebraska farmers planting corn directly into a growing cover crop, leading to questions about how to best manage this scenario in 2018. Learn why entomologists don't recommend adding an insecticide to the herbicide when terminating the cover crop.

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Painted lady butterfly and caterpillar

Large Populations of Painted Lady Butterflies

January 8, 2018
In 2017 large populations of painted lady butterflies were seen across the state, raising concerns about whether the larvae form (thistle caterpillars) of this insect would cause damage to soybean fields. An article from the Proceedings of the 2018 Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics.

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Wheat stem maggot

Insects in Cover Crops

January 8, 2018
An article from the Proceedings of the 2018 Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics on how integration of cover crops in cropping systems will alter pest and beneficial insect activity.

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Map of Japanese beetle distribution in Nebraska in 2016
Figure 1. Japanese beetle distribution in Nebraska in 2016.

Japanese Beetle in Corn and Soybeans

January 8, 2018
An article from the 2018 Crop Production Clinic Proceedings on distribution, scouting and damage from Japanese beetles in Nebraska corn and soybean.

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Corn Rootworm Management Update

January 8, 2018
From the 2018 Crop Production Clinic Proceedings: Corn rootworm continues to be a problem for Nebraska growers who rotate crops infrequently. Additionally, resistance to insecticides and some Bt corn reduces efficacy of these important tools in some fields.

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