Many years ago when Michael Jordan was dominating the basketball courts, his incredible shooting ability was often described as "nothing but net"--a mark of smooth perfection. To excel as a crop scout, the best tool of the trade is nothing more than a net (sorry, it's my best analogy). I find the sweep net a perfect tool for first detection of insects in soybeans or alfalfa. In a few quick minutes, a field can be swept and the contents examined. If the insect in question is found, then a more thorough process can be implemented to determine the number of insects per plant, square foot, length of row, etc. A sweep net is helpful for scouting bean leaf beetles and caterpillars in soybeans, and is absolutely essential for scouting potato leafhoppers in alfalfa.