Soil Temperature Climatology Tool Provides Threshold Information for Farmers

The Midwestern Regional Climate Center and USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub are launching a new online tool to provide soil temperature threshold information based on historical data from the last 30 years. The Soil Temperature Climatology Tool that’s now available to the public online will be aid the agricultural industry in better identifying benchmark dates for when specific agronomic activities, such as planting and applying nutrients, should take place. Laurie Nowatzke, coordinator of the USDA Midwest Climate Hub, noted, “Soil temperature affects so many on-farm management decisions. We consistently hear from producers and agricultural service providers that they need better access to this key piece of climate information. As with many of MRCC’s data tools, the Soil Temperature Climatology Tool can help Midwestern farmers plan ahead during complex parts of the season.”