Why are there so many ponded farm fields?

When heavy rains result in ponded fields, the cause is poor drainage. Old field tiles in poor condition or undersized cannot efficiently remove excess water fast enough.

When left unaddressed, the problem will worsen over time, resulting in compacted fields and lower yields. Fixing the drain tile system is an obvious solution, but this is often neglected.

Alternative solutions to help relieve drainage problems include using cover crops and reduced tillage practices, which improve soil health, water holding capacity and drainage.

Given current farming practices and the nature of Illinois soils, improving drainage tiles and soil health becomes necessary.

Farmers often delay fieldwork and planting until the soil dries out. Late planting can mean lower yields, which leads to lower profits. Delaying planting also disrupts the farmer’s workflow.

Big Problem

Following heavy rains in the spring, many farm fields in Illinois have ponded areas, and some years are worse than others.

Without necessary improvements, damage to the farm and crops worsens over time. Some ponds never dry out in wet years, worsening soil compaction problems.

When the soil is too wet at planting, the seed trench slits in the soil seedbed fail to fill back over, exposing the seed to the elements and reducing seed viability. Performing fieldwork on wet soil increases the risk of significant compaction.

Roots grow in the areas of least resistance and will follow trench lines. They fail to grow deeper in the soil, making the crop vulnerable to hot, dry conditions later.

Ponds form in your fields, and water weighs 8.5 pounds per gallon. Any ponded field area could contain tens of thousands of gallons of water.

This enormous amount of weight exerts downward force on the soil, reducing soil pore sizes and thus reducing air and water holding capacity.

Crops need water and oxygen to grow, and the seeds suffocate in water. The crop yield is reduced by planting into wet soils, even with no visible above-ground signs.

Absentee Landowners

The majority of farmland is rented and not owned by the farmer. Landowners are often former farm families that, for various reasons, are unwilling to spend money to improve drainage.

The resistance likely stems from concerns about cost or a belief that the status quo system is adequate.

Landowners hold the key to improving farm drainage. The fact remains that cash rent on poorly drained fields will be lower due to reduced yields.

The revenue lost to farmers and landowners is often much greater than the tile installation cost.

A poorly drained farm won’t likely procure higher cash rent levels due to poor yields, which result in lower farmer revenue and thus lower cash rent for the farm owner.

Improving farm drainage by adding and repairing drainage tile is costly, but the expenditure can be quickly recovered if carefully planned and installed.

Drainage tile systems can last for many decades, and a well-installed system using good components can last for centuries.

Still, many landowners are very reluctant to make this investment due to the cost, but these expenses can be recovered quickly, resulting in higher profits.

Farmers and landowners need to have frank discussions about drainage conditions on the farm.

Examine the yield monitor maps to find problematic areas and determine lost yield potential. Multiply the yield loss by the price of grain.

Studies have shown that corn typically responds better to drainage than soybeans, which is essential as many farms use a soy/corn rotation.

Completing small drainage projects across a large field can keep costs to several hundred dollars per acre when those costs are spread over the entire field.

A complete pattern tile project system in the field will be more costly and require additional evaluation.

To function correctly, the project requires a good tile outlet main to channel the water off the farm or have close access to a drainage ditch or stream. The outlet cost will have a significant influence on the project cost.

Pattern tiling a field can range from $800 to $1,500 an acre or more, depending on outlet needs in 2025.

Sometimes, a completely new system is the best option, but each situation differs. It’s best to get multiple plans and quotes.

Cost Versus Benefits

A 25-bushel increase in corn yield per acre due to tile improvements, multiplied by $4 per bushel, will result in an extra $100 per year profit.

A 10-bushel increase in soybean yield with a cost of $10 per bushel will also net out $100 more in revenue in a year.

Prices can be higher than these market levels, and the yield increases can be larger. This scenario could pay off the drainage project in eight years.

Updating your drainage tiles will not increase property taxes, as they are based on soil types. Additionally, field tile is a depreciable asset for income tax purposes.

Farm drainage tile is essential to many farm fields in Illinois. Carefully consider how an investment in farm drainage tile can boost crop yields, reduce financial risk and ultimately increase the long-term profitability of your farm.

Kevin Brooks is a farm business management and marketing educator serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties for University of Illinois Extension.