Predictive Soil Health Economic Calculator

Designed for farmers, ag advisors, and conservation planners, the P–SHEC tool estimates the potential long-term costs and benefits of adopting certain soil health practices. The tool predicts a 10-year Net Present Value from the changes in yield and yield stability under drought due to changes in Soil Organic Matter from adopting soil health practices. You can refer to the P-SHEC User Guide for more information about navigating the tool and the P-SHEC Technical Manual for details about the data and analyses used to create the tool. Note: the tool will load in a few seconds.

Project Background

Using a combination of crop yield, soil, and weather data, AFT created a machine-learning model to predict, at the county level, for certain states, the estimated change in yield from ten years of soil health practice adoption. This research is combined with cost data to create the foundation for the web-based P-SHEC tool. Research, design, and pilot-testing of the tool was done in collaboration with the USDA NRCS Soil Health Division and Agricultural Economists. Visit AFT’s P-SHEC project page to learn more.

Resources

• P-SHEC User Guide
• P-SHEC Technical Manual
• P-SHEC Example Scenario Video (Coming soon)
• P-SHEC Technical Webinar

Contact Information

If you have technical questions or need help troubleshooting, please contact Ben Wiercinski, Senior Economist at bwiercinski@farmland.org. 

If you are interested in collaborating, disseminating the tool to farmers and ag advisors, or are interested in supporting the next phase of development of the P-SHEC tool, please contact Dr. Michelle Perez, Senior Liaison Between Research and On-the-Ground Practice (formerly Water Initiative Director) at mperez@farmland.org.