Research HighlightsNew Decision Tool Helps Farmers With ROI at the Field Level
In this article, you’ll find details on:
- A new decision-making tool launches soon that can help improve production at the individual field level
- Open Crop Manager is backed by a decade of data collection from farmers in the North Central U.S.
- The app combines field scouting information with soil details, weather patterns, and satellite imagery to provide ways to protect yield
By Carol Brown
A new decision-making tool for farmers is nearing completion. A soybean research project supported by the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) is coming to fruition after a decade of farmer surveys, data collection and number crunching. The Open Crop Manager app is in the beta testing process before it rolls out to the public.
“This new tool can empower farmers to really understand the data-driven structure they possess at the field level,” says Paul Esker, Penn State University plant pathologist and co-investigator on the project. “It’s more than maps. We’re building the ecosystem that provides the user with economics of production. It’s about what the farmer needs to protect the yield that’s in the field, what needs to be done to improve return-on-investment, and what could be long-term sustainable goals.”
The answers to these big-picture questions have been squeezed into the Open Crop Manager for farmers or their crop consultants to use. The tool is interactive — users can enter field information into the Open Crop Manager, the data is processed, and information is returned within approximately an hour.
The project began in 2015 with benchmarking of soybean production systems across the north central region. Survey data was collected from farmers for 2,339 fields across 10 states in the first year of the project. The research team, currently led by Shawn Conley, University of Wisconsin State Soybean Specialist, has since been collecting information every year to inform the now-massive database.
Over the last three years, the team has collected more than 10,000 scouting reports, more than 10,600 images of diseases, pests, weeds and abiotic conditions. This is in addition to the thousands of images and field reports collected through previous projects.
“What sets this decision tool apart from others is that the data is real, not simulated information,” Conley explains. “The data used to inform the app is scientifically sound so farmers can trust the results.”
Open Crop Manager uses self-reported scouting reports so farmers can keep track fields and improve remote monitoring of crop health, which includes possible diseases and insect pest severity. The tool pulls soil information, satellite imagery and weather data to accompany the field data. In return, users receive information to identify management practices that can result in increased profit as well as notifications of issues before they become problems. The team continues to work on the tool and will include disease diagnostics and stress alerts in the future.
A Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration
In addition to agricultural experts collaborating on the project, other university departments have been involved to create the decision-making tool.
“We collaborated with the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences at Penn State, which is in the College of Information Sciences and Technology,” Esker explains. “The scientists here helped to build a platform structure for our collected data and continue to develop the app. We also involved the Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence at Penn State, who are experts in data security and privacy. We want to ensure farmers that they own their data.”
The computer experts created Open Crop Manager for use in both Android and iOS platforms as well as offline, all of which are in the final testing phases.
In addition to collaborating with different disciplines, the project leveraged funding beyond NCSRP support. Penn State provided university funding and the team leveraged NCSRP dollars to work with Getting Rid of Weeds (GROW), a United Soybean Board program.
With the help of Penn State weed scientist John Wallace, the team is now gathering data and imagery of early-emerging weeds to inform the app and ensure it will function accurately for identifying weed escapes as early as possible.
“We also have the pieces in place to add corn and wheat to the Open Crop Manager,” Esker comments. “These were developed through USDA-NIFA funding and the two crops will be added to the app at a later date.”
Currently, 87 users in 11 states are beta testing the app. Watch the Soybean Research & Information Network or local state extension offices for an announcement of the Open Crop Manager launch.
Additional Resources:
Open Crop Manager homepage
NCSRP Project Explores Prescriptions for Best Management Practices – SRIN article
Boots on the Ground: Validation of the Benchmarking Process Through On-Farm Trials – SRIN article
Benchmarking Soybean Production Systems in the North Central U.S. – Collaborative report
Meet the Principal Investigators: Shawn Conley and Paul Esker
Published: Apr 14, 2025
The materials on SRIN were funded with checkoff dollars from United Soybean Board and the North Central Soybean Research Program. To find checkoff funded research related to this research highlight or to see other checkoff research projects, please visit the National Soybean Checkoff Research Database.
