Drainage water management field day slated for Sept. 9

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A demonstration field day of drainage water management techniques will be held at the Manchester Farm in Lakeview, Ohio, on Sept. 9.

The field day is free and will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Logan County farm, located northwest of Bellefontaine at 29249 State Route 385.

Managing the water table under agricultural cropping systems with gated control structures and well-planned patterned tile systems delivers a variety of benefits, according to Leonard Binstock, executive director of the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC).

Some of these benefits include:

* Reducing wintertime releases of nutrient-rich drainage water.

* Allowing growers to drain the root zone for fieldwork and planting in the spring.

* Conserving water in the soil profile for crop use in the summer.

Some studies also show agricultural drainage management contributes to higher yields, Binstock said.

During the field day, Binstock will share information on design and installation costs for a drainage water management system.

Grower and host Tim Manchester will also discuss the drainage water management system on his farm.

Larry Brown, Ohio State University Extension water management specialist, and Norman Fausey, soil scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, will provide an overview of drainage water management and present data from demonstration sites in Ohio.

The program is funded by ADMC as part of a Conservation Innovation Grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to demonstrate drainage management technology and techniques.

The Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition is dedicated to promoting drainage water management to reduce nutrient enrichment of surface water, protect crops against dry spells, enhance the potential for increased yields and provide growers with an additional tool for enhancing wildlife habitat during the off-season. ADMC's Web site, http://www.admcoalition.com , features information on agricultural drainage management tools and techniques, as well as data from demonstration sites in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Iowa.

For more information on the demonstration day or details on agricultural drainage water management, contact Binstock at 507-451-0073, visit http://www.admcoalition.com , or contact Brown at brown.59@osu.edu , 614-292-3826.

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