• Michigan’s soils, hydrology, and topography make tile drain systems an essential element of agricultural systems in many areas of Michigan. • Swings in precipitation patterns make in-field water management more difficult. • Drainage water management (DWM) systems allow for the adjustment of the water table elevation in fields. Michigan’s soils, hydrology, and topography make tile drain systems an essential element of agricultural systems in many areas of Michigan, and the precipitation pattern seen in 2021 in our state spotlights opportunities to use this technology as a risk mitigation tool. This year, and in several recent years, periods of substantial drought are broken up by major rainfall events, delivering several inches of rain in a short period of time. This complicates management of water in fields, and can exacerbate dissolved P and N losses through tile drains. Drainage water management (DWM) systems allow for the adjustment of the water table elevation in fields, allowing for a naturally high-water table during non-cropping times of the year. This allows for greater water infiltration to groundwater while keeping unnecessary water out of drainage systems. During the growing season, the water table can be lowered to the typical functional level of the drain tile system, providing all the same benefits of tile drainage that growers expect. DWM systems also allow for raising the water table during drought events, retaining moisture in the soil profile for crop use. Unlike some other nutrient loss reduction practices, DWM systems don’t take farmland out of production or require changing in-field agronomic management. And they require minimal time to adjust water levels, taking just minutes to add or remove boards in the control structure. Cost-share assistance programs are available in many counties. Growers are encouraged to contact their local conservation district offices to learn more about improving their tile drainage systems with drainage water management technology. As a conservation practice, DWM retains flexibility of in-field agronomic management, does not remove land from production, offers immediate yield increase potential, and has assessable cost-share opportunities – a unique combination and something to be considered in planning for 2022 and beyond. This newsletter is brought to you by the Michigan Agri-Business Association and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. For more information, visit miagbiz.org.
