Automated Drainage System Shows Promise For Midwestern Crops

Automated Drainage System Shows Promise For Midwestern Crops ENERGY Solar South Dakota State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is researching automated controlled drainage systems an emerging technology that saves early rains for later dry spells Comparisons focus on nutrient management and crop yields from free-flowing manually controlled and automated field drainage John McMaine current University of Kentucky Professor and recent SDSU researcher explained “Automated controlled drainage takes field-installed tile drainage systems a step further ” Cropland drainage systems are widely used in the Midwest with an estimated 40 percent of farm fields using tiles Their environmental drawback is that outflow can contain high nitrate levels as it enters rivers or streams causing algae blooms that disrupt the ecosystem’s natural balance or initiate human health issues Controlled drainage technology or flow control uses structures within pipes to regulate water flow Boards or “mini dams” are farmer-controlled or pre-programmed to block or release water Agri Drain Corp an Iowa-based company created the system used by McMaine’s team During the 2024 growing season SDSU installed soil moisture probes throughout their trial plot to provide data on how the crops reacted to different drainage methods This information is still being analyzed “I think the future of automated controlled drainage systems is very bright ” says Josh Becker SDSU agricultural and biosystems master’s student and engineering major heading up the trial’s data analysis “To combat variable high and low levels of rainfall this system offers a solution to store moisture and make it available through dry periods Additionally farmers must get ahead of the curve regarding the environmental impacts of nutrient export from fields It’s hard to put a number on this value but automated drainage offers a potential solution ” The SDSU research will continue in 2025 Agri Drain’s automated technology is commercially available They recommend interested parties contact them directly for pricing and installation details Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Agri Drain Corporation P O Box #458 1462 340 St Adair Iowa 50002 ph 800-232-4742; info@agridrain com; www agridrain com

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