Why do farmers install drain tile in their field?

Farmers use tile drain systems to lower the water table below the root zone of the crop, helping avoid negative impacts on the plants due to saturated soils and thus increasing yield. In addition, farmers can more easily manage their tile-drained fields without damaging or compacting wet soil.

What is farm tile drainage?

Tile drainage is essentially the use of subsurface tubes to remove excess moisture from topsoil. It’s a practice that, in Alberta at least, is still suffering growing pains. The landowners will also have to pay compensation for any area of wetland they drain above and beyond ephemeral water bodies.

How deep should drain tile be buried in a field?

If the drain tiles are implemented primarily to protect the foundation from subsurface water, dig the trench up to 6 feet deep. If the primary concern is surface water, a trench only 2 feet deep will suffice. Make sure that the trench extends to a suitable outlet like a ditch, drain field or dry well.

Where does weeping tile drain to?

The weeping tile then drains into a solid pipe leading to a discharge or directly into a sump, where the water can be removed by a sump pump. Weeping tiles are often used for water drainage near basement foundations as a part of basement waterproofing, where they are called a French drain.

Does drain tile work?

Drain tile systems are effective in creating a path of least resistance for water to follow, meaning water is unlikely to seep into your basement via cracks in your foundation or slab.

What material should be placed around drain tile?

Tubing should be bedded in gravel. In some situations, customers choose not to use the required gravel backfill, and instead elect to use a soil backfill material such as crushed stone or compacted soil and are still able to achieve satisfactory results.

How do I install weeping tile for drainage?

3. EXTERIOR WEEPING TILE INSTALLATION PROCESS

1. STEP 1 – DIG A TRENCH.
2. STEP 2 – POUR THE GRAVEL.
3. STEP 3 – LAY THE PIPE.
4. STEP 4 – BACKFILL THE TRENCH.
5. STEP 1 – CUT THROUGH THE CONCRETE FLOOR AND DIG A TRENCH.
6. STEP 2 – POUR THE GRAVEL.
7. STEP 3 – LAY THE PIPE.
8. STEP 4 – BACKFILL AND REPLACE THE CONCRETE FLOOR.

Why do you need drain tile on your farm?

Land Values: Improved drainage from tiling will increase yields, reduce costs and enhance value. There are two primary reasons for landowners to install drain tile, but both are done for increased value. First, the farm will be worth more money.

What kind of tile do I need for my farm?

Farms with undulating topography may only need tile in lower areas that tend to pond in periods of heavy rainfall. Farms that are level to depressional in topography should be pattern-tiled, if possible. In your tile design, consider sizing the main (s) to allow for additional future tile installation, if warranted.

Is it worth it to tile a wet farm?

If you can tile for $1,000 per acre and erase the $2,000 value difference, it is well worth the investment. On the flipside, if you can buy the wet farm for $2,000 per acre less than similar farmland and tile it for $1,000 per acre, you have a good investment.

How much does drain tile cost per acre?

Improved drainage from tiling will increase yields, reduce costs and enhance value. Annual payments on a $1,000, 30-year loan at 5% will equal $61.95 per acre. That requires 15 to 18 bushels of additional corn yield or 6 to 8 bushels of additional soybean yield per acre to meet the payments on the investment.