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Drainage field day focuses on double farmers’ investments
Farmers, like anyone else, love to double the return on their investment. The chance to learn about such an opportunity is Sept. 9 at the Tim Manchester Farm, 29249 St. Rt. 385 near Lakeview, Ohio. The 3-4:30 p.m. Drainage Water Management Field Day focuses on management of the water table under agricultural cropping systems with gated control structures and well-planned pattern tile systems.

Three main profit generators can result from the installation of such a system. Farmers can conserve water in the soil profile for crop use during a dry summer.

Farmers can manage drainage of the root zone for field work during planting and harvesting.

Farmers can reduce the likelihood of nutrient rich drainage water; thus retaining nutrients for crop use and avoiding impairment of drainage water.

Host farmer Tim Manchester invites farmers and others to discuss the drainage water management system on his farm. Dr. Larry Brown Ohio State University Extension Ag Engineer and USDA-ARS Soil Scientist Norman R. Fausey will provide an overview of drainage water management and present data from various demonstration sites in Ohio. Leonard Binstock from the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) will share information on design and installation costs for a drainage water management system. The program is funded by ADMC as part of a Conservation Innovation Grant from the NRCS.

The ADMC is dedicated to promoting drainage water management to reduce nutrient enrichment of surface water, protect crops against dry spells, enhance the potential for increased yields and provide growers with an additional tool for enhancing wildlife habitat during the off-season.

Installation of sub-surface drainage systems has been a key to improving the productivity of soils in the Corn Belt. Tiling has long promoted for improving crop yields due to more timely planting, enhancing root development and reducing soil-borne diseases. Depending on your farm’s topography, “burying your money” in the ground may now pay off even more. For more information contact Leonard Binstock at 507-451-0073, visit www.admcoalition.com

A possible new pest of soybeans, a root mealybug was first reported last year in Kentucky. The insect is a root feeder on numerous plants, including soybeans. Ants are usually found attending this mealybug in a symbiotic relationship. Ohio State University Extension Entomologists Ron Hammond, Andy Michel and Bruce Eisley believe that this mealybug is a different species of mealybug that is often found on soybean leaves.

So far, all the known soybean fields in the Midwest, including Ohio, where the mealybug has been found have shown potassium deficiency-like symptoms. At this time, it is not known if there is a cause and effect relationship (i.e., does the mealybug feeding on the roots cause the symptoms), or even if there is a relationship between those symptoms, potassium deficiency, and the mealybugs.

If you have fields showing potassium deficiency-like symptoms, dig up a few plants to examine the roots to see if any of these mealybugs are present. Remember that ants in the sample might give an indication of mealybugs. Mealybugs are quite small, so a hand lens might be necessary. However, they should at least be noticeable to the naked eye because of the waxy coating, which gives them a whitish appearance. Please contact your county extension educator if this might be a problem in your field.
9/2/2009