Unleash your soil’s potential with these four tiling benefits

October 31, 2024 | Kriss Nelson

Farmers started tiling Iowa farmland in the late 1800s and still widely use this water management technique today.           

Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) has played a large role in the practice of farmland water management for nearly 60 years.

“Agriculture was the foundation of ADS,” says Logan Chamberlain, ADS’s agriculture division’s market manager. “Our business has expanded, and we now serve a vast commercial and stormwater management market, but at heart, we are an agriculture company focusing on product innovations for our farmers and contractors to increase yields and improve their land for future generations.”

Drier weather throughout much of Iowa this fall has provided ample opportunity for farmers to get their tile in place for the next planting season.

Top four reasons to tile

ADS’ company tagline is “Our Reason is Water,” focused on protecting the world’s most precious resource: water.”

“From start to finish, we want to protect the lifecycle of the raindrop,” says Chamberlain. “Tiling helps your fields properly drain and makes your soil work for you.”

Here are four areas to consider for drainage water management practices.

# 1 Longer growing seasons

Accelerated drying allows for earlier planting in an environment where plants can thrive.

“A patterned tile system allows consistent drying at an accelerated rate so farmers can get in and plant earlier in the season which allows for a better likelihood of those plants thriving,” she says. “Tiling also allows farmers to take advantage of the smaller window to plant or harvest.”

# 2 Healthier roots

Tiling lowers the water table, so root systems seek deeper moisture and grow better, even in drought years.

“The plant’s roots will be searching for moisture,” says Chamberlain. “By lowering the water table, the roots will dig deeper, creating a strong foundation for the plant. This will develop a healthy plant to withstand challenges throughout the growing season.”

# 3 Higher yields

 Effective subsurface field drainage can increase crop yields by up to 30%, Chamberlain says.

“By managing water, you are truly helping drive higher yields by having the right amount of water at the right place at the right time,” she says. “It’s all about the topography and soil type on your specific farm — customized for you through our products and the contractors installing it.”

# 4 Reduces soil erosion

Subsurface drainage enables the soil to hold more moisture, reducing runoff and soil erosion, she says.

“Proper drainage allows your soil to function like a natural sponge, minimizing erosion, and retaining those nutrients in the soil, which is crucial in preventing nutrient runoff,” says Chamberlain.

Chamberlain added that farmers may consider installing more field tile due to the possibility of a higher return on investment and increased land values, in addition to other soil health benefits like better soil structure.

ADS has a significant presence in Iowa, with a manufacturing facility in Eagle Grove, distribution centers, and representatives throughout the state.

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