SBR, scientists in the United States created predictive yield loss
estimates for soybean production areas in North America, based on
the pattern of spread of P. pachyrhizi in South America (29,83).
These estimates were at least 10% of annual soybean yield in the
north-central United States and 50% or greater in the southeastern
United States if infection occurred at an early phenological stage of
soybean development (82). Initial predictions, based on high levels
of overwintering inoculum, suggested that without effective management,
losses in soybean could exceed 80% (8,25). In 2004, the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research
Service estimated that annual net economic losses would
range from $240 million to $2 billion, depending on the severity
and extent of subsequent outbreaks