Collaborators, primarily soybean extension entomologists at the land-grant universities, from 19 states contributed soybean loss estimates for 2023 at the end of the 2023 growing season. Together, these states accounted for 58% of US soybean acreage. Nearly all southern states participated, while participation in the more northern states was closer to 50%. As has been done annually in some states since 2005, the data were compiled, and a report was written and published in the Midsouth Entomologist (https://midsouthentomologist.org.msstate.edu/Volume17/17%206-30%20Musser%20et%20al.pdf). The data were also sent to Crop Protection Network (CPN) for inclusion in their database which can be accessed at https://loss.cropprotectionnetwork.org/crops/soybean-invertebrate-pests. Additionally, Adam Sisson (CPN) wrote and posted a summary of the insect loss report on the CPN website (https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/soybean-invertebrate-loss-estimates-from-the-united-states-2023). As for findings in the insect loss estimates, stink bugs remained the costliest insect pest in soybean as has been reported in most years, followed by corn earworm and soybean looper. Insects caused an average loss of 1.7% (0.94 bu/ac), but this varied greatly among states, with some northern states reporting no yield loss from insects, and southern states reporting up to 6.3% yield loss from insects.

The primary benefits of these estimates are better targeted research and extension efforts so that management interventions are as economical as possible. In addition, soybean farmers may directly benefit if they realize the actual risk of a pest outbreak in their state and manage accordingly rather than managing based on worst case scenarios.