The United Soybean Board (USB), in partnership with Purdue University and the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC), has launched the Ag Climate Dashboard, a centralized digital platform designed to help U.S. farmers access critical climate and agricultural data in one convenient location. The dashboard consolidates real-time weather data, forecasts from the National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center outlooks, and historical climate records, while also offering interactive tools for monitoring crop growth, pest threats, climate anomalies, and extreme weather events.
The initiative responds directly to farmer feedback collected during MRCC-hosted workshops in 2023, where producers highlighted the need for a single hub that provides practical, science-based decision support. By streamlining access to multiple resources, the dashboard aims to help farmers make informed choices that improve yield, profitability, and sustainability throughout the growing season.
Ed Lammers, a Nebraska farmer and Supply Lead on the United Soybean Board, emphasized the importance of timely information, noting that weather can make or break a season. He added that farmer investments through the Soy Checkoff were instrumental in bringing the Ag Climate Dashboard to life, giving producers tools that deliver tangible value on the farm.
Key features of the dashboard include regionalized fieldwork planning tools, crop and disease forecasting, and localized climate summaries. Additional tools include Purdue University’s Degree Day calculator for tracking crop progress and the Iowa Environmental Mesonet Pest Forecasting Map for identifying pest threats, which are particularly valuable for soybean and corn farmers. Future updates are already in development, including irrigation planning tools and ZIP-code specific mapping features.
Austin Pearson, climatologist at MRCC and Indiana State Climate Office, highlighted that the forecasting tools provide critical insight into pest timing and management, while MRCC Director Beth Hall said the dashboard is just the first phase, with more features planned to further support farmers.
The Ag Climate Dashboard is now live on the Midwestern Regional Climate Center’s website, providing farmers with a comprehensive, user-friendly resource to navigate climate risks and make smarter operational decisions throughout the season.
