On Farm Drainage/Subsurface Irrigation Demo Gerald Bryan UM Extension Agronomist Jackson, MO

On Farm Drainage/SubsurfaceOn Farm Drainage/SubsurfaceIrrigation DemoIrrigation Demo

Gerald BryanGerald Bryan

UM Extension AgronomistUM Extension Agronomist

Jackson, MOJackson, MO

Laser Controlled Tile Installation at Laser Controlled Tile Installation at Lorberg Farm, Cape Girardeau CountyLorberg Farm, Cape Girardeau County

Need for DrainageNeed for Drainage

Low YieldsLow Yields– 85 bushel corn yield average last 4 crops85 bushel corn yield average last 4 crops– Drained sites yield doubleDrained sites yield double– High yield – 170 bu.High yield – 170 bu.

Late planting datesLate planting dates Poor weed controlPoor weed control $$$$$ Loss$$$$$ Loss

Project GoalsProject Goals

Better drain the existing wet soil profile.Better drain the existing wet soil profile. Provide opportunistic subsurface irrigation Provide opportunistic subsurface irrigation

by tapping into existing permanent springs by tapping into existing permanent springs adjacent to the field.adjacent to the field.

Increase economic return=higher yieldsIncrease economic return=higher yields

This sucker oughta dig some

potatoes!

Laser Controlled Tile Plow

Existing Springs Utilized for Existing Springs Utilized for Irrigation Water Source Irrigation Water Source

Several existing springs Several existing springs were connected to the were connected to the system.system.

Spring flow was about 27 Spring flow was about 27 gallons per minute, or 2.8 gallons per minute, or 2.8 inches of available water inches of available water per acre per month over per acre per month over the whole field.the whole field.

Maximum of 8.4 inches of Maximum of 8.4 inches of water available for water available for delivery over a 90 day delivery over a 90 day irrigation systemirrigation system

Snake!!

Observed maximum of 1.2’ of upward Observed maximum of 1.2’ of upward water movement before the 4” line was water movement before the 4” line was

installed, at the manifoldinstalled, at the manifold

Cross Section of FieldCross Section of Field

Drainage System in OperationDrainage System in OperationStoplog boards are removed andStoplog boards are removed and

excess water moves into pipesexcess water moves into pipes

and is transported from field.and is transported from field.

Irrigation System in OperationIrrigation System in OperationStoplog boards are inserted to the sameStoplog boards are inserted to the same

elevation as the lower plant roots. Waterelevation as the lower plant roots. Water

soaks out of the pipe and flows upwardsoaks out of the pipe and flows upward

to the plant roots.to the plant roots.

Preparing to install 4” line from the Preparing to install 4” line from the 6” manifold6” manifold

The manifold was a 6” corrugated plastic tubing.The drain/irrigation lines were 4” slot cut corrugated plastic tubing, on 30’ centers, buried about 38” deep.

I can’t believe I dropped my annual report in there….

Installation was very accurate and controlled. Average speed was about 3 feet/second

Lorberg Controlled Drainage ProjectLorberg Controlled Drainage Project

The goal was to economically install drain lines that remove excess soil profile water and also be able to provide controlled subsurface irrigation.


Two weir boxes Two weir boxes provided the ability to provided the ability to “perch” the water table “perch” the water table to the desired to the desired elevation during the elevation during the irrigation season.irrigation season.


Photo at left shows the Photo at left shows the manifold outlet, then the manifold outlet, then the weir box. The 6” weir box. The 6” manifold runs along the manifold runs along the west field edge. This west field edge. This photo, taken after a rain, photo, taken after a rain, illustrates the rapid field illustrates the rapid field drainage after installation. drainage after installation. Dry centers indicate 4” Dry centers indicate 4” drain locations.drain locations.

Field after planting May 24, 2004

Field planted Late April Planted same dayMay 24, 2004


Groundwater wells Groundwater wells monitored water levels monitored water levels during the growing during the growing season. A total lack of season. A total lack of spring outflow spring outflow indicated that the crop indicated that the crop was using all of the was using all of the water supplied to the water supplied to the tile system.tile system.

Preliminary ResultsPreliminary Results

The drainage component worked very well in The drainage component worked very well in 2004 and was heavily tested by a wet June.2004 and was heavily tested by a wet June.

The irrigation component also performed well. The irrigation component also performed well. We are sure that the spring flow will not provide We are sure that the spring flow will not provide total crop needs during a typical dry year. It total crop needs during a typical dry year. It should still provide significant crop yield should still provide significant crop yield increases over the “no irrigation” alternative.increases over the “no irrigation” alternative.

Preliminary ResultsPreliminary Results

2004 was a good crop 2004 was a good crop year. An adjacent year. An adjacent field with identical field with identical soils and drainage soils and drainage problems yielded 125 problems yielded 125 bushels of corn/acre.bushels of corn/acre.

The newly drained The newly drained field was the subject field was the subject of a closely measured of a closely measured test plot. It averaged test plot. It averaged 201 bushels/acre.201 bushels/acre.

Corn YieldsCorn Yields

4 year average= 85 Bushels4 year average= 85 Bushels 2004 Averages2004 Averages

– Drained Field Drained Field 200.1 Bu./A. 200.1 Bu./A.– Undrained Field same day 121.0 Bu./A.Undrained Field same day 121.0 Bu./A.– April Planted FieldApril Planted Field 135.0 Bu/A135.0 Bu/A– Hill Corn – AprilHill Corn – April 150+ Bu/A.150+ Bu/A.

Preliminary Economic ResultsPreliminary Economic Results

The project cost a maximum of $608/acre, total The project cost a maximum of $608/acre, total installation cost. Annual O&M costs are nearly installation cost. Annual O&M costs are nearly zero.zero.

With a 20 year lifespan, 75 bushel/acre yield With a 20 year lifespan, 75 bushel/acre yield increase, $2.25/bushel marginal corn valuation, increase, $2.25/bushel marginal corn valuation, and 8% interest rate, the present value of the and 8% interest rate, the present value of the installation is $1656installation is $1656

On a cash flow basis, the installation cost is On a cash flow basis, the installation cost is recovered in 3 years.recovered in 3 years.

Landowner CommentsLandowner Comments

Yield increases were impressive and Yield increases were impressive and indicate the project has sound economics.indicate the project has sound economics.

The landowner is planning to install The landowner is planning to install additional drainage/irrigation acreage.additional drainage/irrigation acreage.

Future installations should be less labor Future installations should be less labor intensive and even more economical as we intensive and even more economical as we put this year’s field experience to use.put this year’s field experience to use.

Regional Application CommentsRegional Application Comments

This type of drainage/irrigation system can be This type of drainage/irrigation system can be installed in areas with permeable topsoil underlaid installed in areas with permeable topsoil underlaid by a low permability clay layer.by a low permability clay layer.

Hubble Creek, Williams Creek, and several other Hubble Creek, Williams Creek, and several other small-floodplain creeks seem to have more small-floodplain creeks seem to have more applicable acreage than originally anticipated.applicable acreage than originally anticipated.

Three other farmers are planning installations in Three other farmers are planning installations in 2005.2005.

That darn Agronomist and NRCS guy said this would pay for all this work in 3-years…..What

IDIOTS !!!

Thanks to John and Jeff Lorberg, Farm owner/operators, Gordonville and Mark Nussbaum , NRCS

Documents

On Farm Drainage/Subsurface Irrigation Demo Gerald Bryan UM Extension Agronomist Jackson, MO