Iowa State University Extension has scheduled a workshop geared toward women landowners as an opportunity to discuss drainage issues that exist on Iowa’s farmland.

The workshop is free and will assist attendees as they make farmland drainage decisions. Workshop discussion will cover different styles of drainage systems that may be installed, and how to address drainage water quality within the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

Excessive rains typically create drowned-out spots in fields, which can potentially reduce productivity. Discussion typically emerges on need for drainage on these fields and how to better address these situations, as well as how improved drainage will benefit landowners, how to work with neighbors and tenants, associated costs, and tax implications.

Managing farmland drainage
“Installing drainage tile lines on a farm is a complex decision based on soil types, crop yields, tiling methods, buried utilities, available outlets and costs,” says Kapil Arora, ISU Extension ag engineering specialist. “Appropriate choice of available options can provide for a well-functioning subsurface drainage system for several decades into the future.”

The workshop will be in Altoona on Sept. 13 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Polk County office located at 1625 Adventureland Drive. Register by Sept. 7 by calling Kalsa Parker Browning at the ISU Extension and Outreach Polk County office at 515-957-5760 or via email at [email protected].

The workshop will be from 7 to 9 p.m. and includes a free supper at 6:30 p.m. for those registered. The meeting is limited to the first 40 registered participants.

The Managing Farmland Drainage workshop will be taught by Arora, along with Steve Johnson, ISU Extension farm management specialist.

Source: Iowa State University