Assessing causes of yield gaps in agricultural areas with diversity in climate and soils

•A novel approach was developed to investigate causes of yield gap over large regions.•The approach combines producer survey data with a robust spatial framework.•Soybean in the North-Central USA was used as study case to evaluate the approach.•Regional yield gap averages 22% (rainfed) and 13% (irrigated) of the yield potential.•Sowing date was the most consistent management factor explaining the yield gaps.