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Field Drainage Tile Workshop

• Thursday, November 7, 2024, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

In partnership with Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County will be hosting a field drainage tile workshop, at CiTi BOCES located at 179 County Route 64, Mexico. Guest speakers will be Dr. Joseph Amsili, Extension Associate for Cornell University and Program Coordinator for the New York Soil Health Initiative, and Erica Schreiner, Senior District Technician for the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District. Amsili will discuss the ongoing challenges agricultural producers face as the amount of annual precipitation and frequency of extreme rainfall events increase, and how this impacts farm operations and soil health. Schreiner will discuss some of the technical assistance the agency provides local farmers looking to install field drainage tiles. Schreiner will also discuss the costs and benefits of installing field drainage tiles yourself versus hiring a professional contractor.

The NYS Climate Impacts Assessment states that total annual precipitation in NYS has increased by 10% to 20% since 1901. Future projections also suggest that annual precipitation will likely increase by approximately 2–12% by the 2050s, and 6–17% by the 2080s, relative to a 1981–2010 baseline. Agricultural producers also face increases is the frequency of extreme precipitation events. This refers to the amount of rain (or snow) that falls during a short period of time, such as a single day or hour. According to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, trends in extreme precipitation have increased across the Northeast since the 1950’s. From 1958 to 2022 the number of days with 2+ inches of precipitation have increased 49%, days with 3+ inches have increased 62%, and days with 4+ inches have increased 84%.

Increases in annual precipitation and extreme rainfall events suggest that excessive moisture will become more challenging over time. Farmers should take these trends into consideration when planning for the future. More rain makes it difficult to work in fields as it often delays spring planting. Operating equipment on overly saturated soils also causes soil compaction, leading to poor soil hydrology and the inability for crops to establish healthy root systems. Too much rain also creates greater risk for water pooling at the surface causing erosion and soil loss. In some instances, it can even delay harvest. For example, some hay producers are unable to cut and bale parts of their fields due to excessive water in the summer. How agricultural landowners can address some of these challenges is by improving field drainage. This includes installing field drainage tiles and digging drainage ditches. Farms will also need to invest in practices that improve soil health.

There will be plenty of time for questions between and after the presentations. Snacks and drinks will be provided by the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance.

Fee

Free, but registration is required.

Register

https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/fielddrainagetiles_235

Location

CiTi BOCES
179 County Route 64
Mexico, NY 13114

Last updated September 17, 2024