Early detection of pests and diseases in soybean crops is important for growers to anticipate and properly treat problems that develop in their fields. Several organizations, including University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Natural History Survey, and Illinois Soybean Association have created a network to monitor pests and diseases that helps growers remain aware of potential emerging problems.

Early pest detection is important for quick and effective treatment. One method Illinois Extension utilizes for monitoring pest problems is by setting traps that lure adult pests. These traps are set out statewide and assist in alerting Extension, and in turn growers, of any atypically severe migrations of pests and potential larvae problems.

U of I Extension has also previously monitored pest and disease developments by partnering with a local grower to create a "soybean sentinel plot." A sentinel plot is a specific plot that is maintained and observed weekly so that disease and pest development are monitored on a regular basis. These findings aid in monitoring fields for soybean rust, a disease that affects the crop yield of a grower's field.

Unfortunately, due to funding changes Illinois no longer has any sentinel soybean plots. Instead, specialists use data from southern states in the U.S. who are still able to maintain sentinel plots to keep track of the movement of soybean rust. Extension specialists watch this data closely to see if rust begins to move north during a critical time of the season. If this is the case, then targeted scouting in the state will begin in order to monitor Illinois fields for soybean rust.

These scouting and trap systems enable growers to have a better understanding of what specific issues they are facing in the field, and to practice more efficient pest management methods. Illinois Extension and other related organizations nationwide promote the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This encourages growers to more accurately identify the problem in their fields so they can be more careful about pesticide use. Scouting is an important part of IPM. According to Matt Montgomery, Extension Educator for Sustainable Agriculture, "The cornerstone of IPM is getting out there and seeing what's there. If you're not doing that then you're not practicing IPM."

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