Standard Process Inc.

Water Management (Part 2)

January 2006 News From The Farm SP News Article

Christine Mason,
Farm Manager

The Ohio State University and the USDA have compiled a list of tile drainage benefits. The list is quite extensive, but it includes points such as:

• Better soil aeration results from good drainage. Aeration permits deeper and more extensive root development as well as a more favorable environment for beneficial microorganisms and earthworms.
• Longer growing seasons can be achieved with good tile drainage due to earlier possible planting dates in the spring as well as later tillage dates in the fall.
• Soils warm up more quickly in the spring when standing water is removed. This is a huge benefit when you manage a farm just south of Santa.
• Certain disease organisms are removed from the soil when water does not stand. This is critical in organic production because fungicides are not an option.
• 125 drainage experiments conducted show substantial increased yield attributed to sub-surface tile drainage. Wheat, barley, peas, and oats had an increased yield of 76%, 72%, 62%, and 53%, respectively.

Field tile is not a cheap investment, but it is one clear way that Standard Process continues to assure the productivity of this farm for many years into the future.