Water Quality

Can drain tiles do more than just drainage?

There is about 1000 ft. of drain tile per acre (assuming 40ft lateral spacing). Ever wondered if the miles long tile drains in your fields could do more than just drainage? Most would agree that tile drains do more than just draining the fields. My recent article in Ohio’s Country Journal’s December Issue will “dig deeper” and revisit what all a drainage system can do? If you can think of more than what’s in this article, send us a note!

Drain Tile

Here are some glimpses of what you will get to read in the full article…

Primary functions of modern-day drainage: The main purpose of drainage was to bring historically wet soils under agricultural production, with additional benefits of improved human health due to lesser risks of pests and diseases associated with waterlogged or marsh lands. Surface and tile drainage transformed the swamps of northwest Ohio into some of the best farmland in the state. The primary function of a modern-day drainage system is still the same – to remove excess water from land surface and soil profile to sustain and enhance crop production. In arid climates, drainage is essential for salinity control, especially in irrigated agriculture. A July 1982 Newsletter by Mel Palmer, then OSU Drainage Extension Agricultural Engineer describes “Twenty Benefits of Drainage” (available at https://go.osu.edu/20drainagebenefits). Most of these benefits still hold true 40 years later!

Benefit to crop yield and profitability: Long-term research at the Ohio State University showed that compared to lands with adequate surface drainage, subsurface drainage improvements may increase yields by 25-30 bu/ac for corn and 3-12 bu/ac for soybean. This translates into a payback period of 7 to 8 years based on economic price data in recent years. Now one may think, that’s it! The system paid itself off, and there is no need to think about additional benefits. Well, the same system can bring you some additional benefits. Here is how:

The function of drain tiles changes from one season to another. The drainage system that is intended to “Drain” in spring starts to “De-Rain” your fields in late summer! Could you conserve some of that rainwater and soil moisture for the periods when your crops may suffer a drought stress?

The article further elaborates on the following:

  • Drainage water management and (sub)irrigation can further boost yield and profitability
  • Why haven’t we seen too much irrigation of grain crops in northwest Ohio compared to central and southern Ohio?
  • Conservation drainage for improved water quality

Full article is available at https://ocj.com/2022/12/can-drain-tiles-do-more-than-drainage/ 

2021 Overholt Drainage Workshop – June 9, 2021

By: Vinayak Shedekar, The Ohio State University

Event Flyer

Click image to view details and Agenda. No cost to attend. Registration required.

Ohio State University’s Overholt Drainage School has been held annually for the past 50+ years. The school provides comprehensive training to farmers, land improvement contractors, soil and water conservation technicians, engineers, consultants, sanitarians and others on the purpose, design, layout, construction and management of drainage systems. The five-day program is usually held in March and involves hands-on learning activities as well as educational talks on drainage water management and water quality.

Click HERE to Register for Overholt Drainage Workshop

Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 drainage school will not be held this March. A virtual workshop and webinar series covering a range of drainage-related topics is currently being planned. The series will launch with a half-day workshop focused on drainage design and installation on June 9, 2021. The workshop will feature updates on recently passed H.B. 340 – Ohio’s “petition ditch laws” that address the installation and maintenance of drainage works of improvement in Ohio. A panel of professional engineers representing state and federal agencies, drainage contractors, and tile manufacturers will then discuss some standard practices, common issues, and troubleshooting associated with drainage design, installation, and repairs.

Following the half-day workshop, the Overholt Program will also offer a webinar series (schedule coming soon) focused on drainage-related topics. The hourly webinars will feature experts and panels to discuss various design and installation aspects, use of advanced tools, software and technology for drainage design, and conservation practices for soil and water quality protection. For any questions about the upcoming drainage education programs including the drainage school, contact Vinayak Shedekar at shedekar.1@osu.edu.