Photo of new drainage system installed on a client’s farm in 2019 which has increased grazing season and also enabled land to be reseeded. Field drainage is something that is not talked about very often but is an essential part of soil management. Good drainage ensures:

Improved plant performance: better yields and quality, quicker warming of soils, increased uptake of soil nutrients, improved environment for earther worms and soil organisms.
Better access to land: extended grazing season, ability to apply inputs at right time, reduced waterlogging.
Ability to work ground better with fewer cultivations required and reduced compaction.
Soil structure benefits include reduced damage to structure, reduced nutrient leaching, reduced poaching and less compaction.
Low risk of livestock health issues including foot rot, liver fluke and udder health.

A large proportion of drainage was carried out many years ago and over time it can collapse, suffer damage from cultivation or become blocked. Ensuring it is maintained, repaired or renewed is an essential part of routine farm maintenance. Drainage is a long-term investment but essential, especially in light of tighter restrictions coming in the future regarding nutrient leaching and soil run off.

When assessing soil drainage ask yourself, “Is the soil draining?” If the answer is yes, then it may be just a case of regular maintenance to ensure it is operating efficiently. Ensure outflows are clear and ditches are cleaned out so that water can get away. It may be that whilst the existing drainage is working it is not sufficient for modern farming practices and the increased rainfall we are now experiencing. Additional drainage may be required which can be added using a mole plough to form additional channels to move water to the ditch.

If the soil is not draining it may not necessarily be because the drainage is not working. The soil could be compacted, and simple sub soiling or sward lifting may resolve the problem. Before doing this, dig some holes to see if the soil is compacted.

Next check that all the outflows are clear and flowing and that the ditches are not blocked. If they are clear then the issue could be broken pipes, blockages or collapsed drainage and further investigation is required. It maybe that simple jetting the drains where the water is not flowing will fix the problem, which is cheaper than renewing the drainage.

Investment in drainage is not cheap and can range from £1500 to £2500 per acre depending on the type of drainage required. However, if this cost is spread over 20 years it equates to £135 per acre per annum. This cost is covered by an increase in wheat yields of 0.75 tonnes per acre or extra six weeks grazing between the spring and autumn. There will also be additional savings in nutrient inputs from more efficient use by the crop and reduced leaching.

Soil management will become of increasing importance in the coming years as we move away from direct subsidies into the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). ELMS payments will be based on providing public goods for public money, e.g. protecting the soil and reducing pollution which improves water quality. Drainage will play an important part in this.

To discuss investing in drainage further, please contact Phil at pcooper@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.