Depending on how you’re set for moisture, you likely have a pretty good idea about which fields could benefit from improved drainage. So now is a good time to plan how you’ll address water management once your crop comes off. Case IH Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) can help.
Saturated soils do not provide sufficient aeration for crop root development and can be an important source of plant stress. That’s why improving poor-draining soils has become integral to maintaining a profitable crop production system. Some of the world’s most productive soils are drained, including 25 percent of the farmland in the United States and Canada.1
The two major methods of farmland drainage are: surface drainage — where standing water is removed using surface ditches, and subsurface drainage — where excess water is removed through a system of underground drainage tiles.2
According to University of Minnesota Extension engineers, planning an effective drainage system takes time and requires consideration of a number of factors, including:
- Local, state and federal regulations
- Economic feasibility
- Soil information
- Wetland impact
- Present and future cropping strategies
- Field elevation, slope (grade) and topography assessment
- Environmental impacts associated with drainage discharge
- Easement and rights-of-way
- Quality of the installation
It’s important to consult with your local United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency office. And then, whether you work with an outside contractor or design and install a drainage project on your own, Case IH AFS Water Control gives you an excellent resource and planning tool. Available as a component of AFS software, AFS Water Control provides surface and subsurface water management solutions. With the software, you can:
- Identify optimal placement of tile and surface drains
- View 3D field topographical data
- Utilize drawing tools
- Lay out and design drainage tiles
Your Case IH dealer can help you tap into the power of AFS Water Control. Get started today, and you’ll be ready to take steps this fall to make your fields more productive next spring.
