Agriculture Production Enemy #1: Excess Water
Consider Tile Drainage as Part of the Solution
By Zachary Fore, Extension, Cropping Systems Specialist

A close look at the available crop production and economics data reveals a clear story:  The major cause of poor profitability in crop production enterprises in recent years in the northern great plains is poor yield.  When the most profitable operations in Northwest Minnesota are compared to least profitable operations, yield is over 4 times more important than marketing, and more than 13 times more important than expense management. This doesn't mean you should ignore marketing or expense management.  The point is that when your yield is up, your marketing and expense management efforts are much more meaningful.  In recent years, the biggest reason for poor yields has been excess water.

Surface drainage is a very important component of a successful water management system. Subsurface (tile) drainage can also be a very important component.  Farmers using yield monitors in areas where tile drainage is common are observing large yield responses due to tile drainage.  And, they are doing something about it.  In Minnesota alone, contractors have been installing 100 million feet of tile annually for the last four years.  The vast majority of this tile is being installed in Southern Minnesota, with very little installation in the small grain growing regions of Minnesota or the Dakotas.

The purpose of this web page is to provide an overview of the economics of tile drainage, to answer commonly asked questions about tile drainage, and to provide a wealth of resources to help you make drainage decisions on your farm.

• FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TILE DRAINAGE (FAQ) -- Why is there not more tile drainage in these areas?  Producers have a number of questions and concerns about tile drainage. Here you'll find several of the most common questions and concerns about tile drainage, and some responses to them..
• TILE DRAINAGE ECONOMICS -- Cropping Systems Specialist, Zachary Fore with the U of M Extension Services takes a look at the economics of tile draining in this on-line Real Media presentation.
• PUMPED OUTLETS FOR SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE -- Pumped outlets enable i proved drainage at reasonable cost, in areas that lack a natural gravity outlet.  Learn more about pumped outlets in this fact sheet from the U of M Extension Service.
• RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION -- Here you'll find links to informational resources on tile drainage, including manufacturers and contrators.
• CONTACT US -- Contact us for more information on tile drainage.

THIS INFORMATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Minnesota Association
of Wheat Growers

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