Source: Craig Schrader, U of M Extension
Contacts: Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension, (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu;
Andrea Johnson, Minnesota Farm Guide, (320) 289-2256, andreaj@mchsi.com

Best drainage will benefit farmers and the general public

ST. PAUL, Minn. (11/17/2008)— A great way to create new wealth is through planting seeds and harvesting the roots, stalks and fruits that grow. Drainage is an important tool that allows farmers to successfully produce many types of crops that add to the United States' and the world's renewable wealth. The challenge is in how to drain away excess soil moisture correctly.

"We know that drainage provides a better environment for many farmers growing their crops. There is a downside in that some nutrients escape the fields, and they make their way down to the Gulf of Mexico, and there is a problem there," said Craig Schrader, University of Minnesota Extension educator in soil science.

Schrader invites Internet users to go to AgBuzz.com, where he posts a blog called "The StopBlog - Drainage." He hopes producers and those in the tiling industry will use the blog as a place to ask questions and converse about tiling throughout the winter months. "There are some new emerging technologies in drainage, and we want to let people know about it," he said. "This is one more place where they might see it."

Schrader and others are encouraging landowners to consider controlled drainage systems. Here's how a controlled drainage system might work: Before planting, the water is allowed to move from the topsoil via the tile lines and outlets. The farmer can then complete planting. After spring fieldwork, stop logs are placed in the structure.

"The water levels goes higher in the soil profile," said Schrader. "It isn't draining freely anymore." Water stays in the fields rather than freely draining away. Scientists have found that crops can use that water later on if it turns dry. "Nitrogen is very mobile in the water, and we are hoping that if the water isn't draining, the nitrogen will stay in the root zone," said Schrader.

For more information tiling, please visit Schrader's blog at http://www.agbuzz.com.

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URL: http:// www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2008/drainage.html This page was updated Nov. 17, 2008 .
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