Prairie Shortcuts

New agricultural drainage publications available
Two new University of Minnesota Extension Service publications address planning, design and performance of tile drainage. These publications are the first of an upcoming series on agricultural drainage. The first publication, entitled “Agricultural Drainage: Planning an Agricultural Subsurface Drainage System,” covers planning a subsurface (or tile) drainage system. Topics include economics, system capacity and drainage coefficient, topography and system layout, drain depth and spacing, drain sizing, use of drain envelopes, environmental impacts, surface inlets and installation quality.

The second publication is for those interested in a more in-depth understanding of subsurface drainage. “Agricultural Drainage: Soil Water Concepts,” is an 8-page, heavily illustrated publication presenting concepts that are fundamental to understanding how subsurface drainage affects soil water and the water balance. It explains, with practical examples, the components of the water balance in the crop/soil system and their relationship to drainage.

“Agricultural Drainage: Planning an Agricultural Subsurface Drainage System” (item 07685), and the more in-depth “Agricultural Drainage: Soil Water Concepts” (item 07644) may be purchased from the University of Minnesota Extension Distribution Center. Call (612) 624-4900 or (800) 876-8636.

New pocket-sized ag drainage calculator available
A new pocket-sized drainage calculator available from the University of Minnesota Extension Service puts agricultural drainage calculations in an easy-to-use format. Gary Sands, engineer with the U of M Extension Service, developed the new calculator. It may be purchased from the Extension Service Distribution Center for a nominal fee. Call (612) 624-4900 or (800) 876-8636 and ask for item number 07688. For more information e-mail Gary Sands at grsands@umn.edu.

Minnesota Wheat Council Seeking Nominations for all Three Districts
The Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, the producer board of directors that directs the Minnesota wheat checkoff for wheat promotion and research, is seeking interested individuals to run for the board of directors. Minnesota wheat producers who are interested in running for a board seat need to indicate their interest prior to February 1, 2002. The elections will take place in March. To inquire about running for the board of directors, contact Doug Ruud, nominations committee chairman, ph. 218-567-8292, email: druud@tvutel.com.  Or to submit a nomination, call Ruth White, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, at 651-297-5794 or Dave Torgerson, executive director of the MWRPC at 1-800-242-6118.

Free “How to Computerize Your Farm Records”
The booklet, “How to Computerize Your Farm Records” can be downloaded free on the Internet at www.fmsharvest.com. It includes guidelines and checklists to help computer users choose hardware and software that best fits a producer’s needs.  The publisher, FMS/Harvest, supplies software to the ag industry.  The publication can also be requested in printed form by calling FMS/Harvest toll-free at 1-800-992-2814.