Drainage workshops cover innovations, law and more    

[JAN. 21, 2005]  URBANA -- Basic drainage design, new design information, drainage law and working with a contractor are among the host of topics that will be addressed at the 2005 Illinois regional "What's New in Drainage?" workshops in February. Four regional seminars will be conducted across the state with speakers from the University of Illinois discussing a variety of topics.

Organizers hope to focus on the newly revised Illinois Drainage Guide, which will be available in the summer of 2005. This guide, last revised in 1984, will be introduced by Richard Cooke, associate professor in agricultural and biological engineering. Cooke says the current guide will reflect many new developments related to the use of new equipment and materials, the widespread use of computers, and water quality considerations.

"The book version of the guide also includes new information on drainage water management, design of grassed waterways, design charts for smooth pipes and an economic calculator," said Cooke. "And there's a Web-based version that offers depth and spacing information, design of grassed waterways, and other information found in the book, all in easy-to-use interactive tables."

Other topics to be discussed at the workshops are:

"Drainage Concepts," with Bill Simmons, associate professor in soil and water management. Simmons will focus on the effects of subsurface and surface drainage on production and the ecosystem.

"Principles of Conservation Drainage," with Professor Cooke. His research has focused on the effect that tile depth and spacing has on drainage performance and the transport of nitrates.

"Constituents of Tile Water," with Mike Hirschi, professor in agricultural and biological engineering. Hirschi will discuss ways to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous loss through drainage management.

There will also be discussions on drainage law and new technologies, as well as a contractor's panel that will discuss local issues and provide an installer's perspective on drainage systems.

Qualified participants in the workshop can earn 4.5 Certified Crop Advisor credits for soil and water management and a half-credit for professional development, for a total of five credits.

[to top of second column in this article]

The seminars run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. A registration fee of $25 is due one week before each meeting and includes a noon luncheon and take-home materials.

Here are the dates, locations and contact information for each seminar:

Feb. 14 -- Bremer (DACC) Convention Center, Danville. Send registrations to U of I Extension - Vermilion County, 25 East Liberty Lane, Suite A, Danville, IL 61832. Phone [phone].

Feb. 15 -- Center for Agriculture, Sycamore. Send registrations to U of I Extension - DeKalb County, 1350 West Prairie Drive, Sycamore, IL 60178. Phone [phone].

Feb. 17 -- Ty's Buffet, Olney. Send registrations to U of I Extension - Richland Unit, P.O. Box 130, Olney, IL 62450. Phone [phone] or [phone].

Feb. 18 -- Knox Agri Center, Galesburg. Send registrations to U of I Extension - Knox County, 180 S. Soangetaha Road, Suite 108, Galesburg, IL 61401. Phone [phone].

For more information, phone Stanley Solomon, U of I Extension engineering technology educator at the East Peoria Extension Center, at [phone], ext. 223, or e-mail him at [e-mail]. You may also contact your local U of I Extension office.

[University of Illinois news release]

Previous articles

• Local Extension office offers courses via telecommunication
  Feb. 1, Feb. 4 and 11, March 29

• Weekly outlook
  Soybean prices

• Spraying techniques crucial for soybean rust control

Ag scholarships

• Balloon club sponsors ag scholarship
  Application deadline March 31

• Other scholarships