2017 Fall Farm Outlook

2017 Logan County Fall Farm Outlook Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Oct. 25, 2017 Page 17 This simple box integrated with the ground tile outlet contains the control lever for holding back water for moisture and nutrients, or letting it flow when need be to drain soggy fields. After installing the valve he saw increasingly higher yields each year. He credits in part, retaining nutrients that were previously lost in drainage water and having those get built back up within his soils. Bishop compares the cost, “Out of an $80,000 tile project, the valve costs approximately $700 and it pays for itself in several ways – keeping ground moisture for dry parts of the season, and the bigger savings is in nutrients that are not washed away.” The box (that eats cell phones from your shirt pocket if you lean over it.) The only recommendation for maintenance is to keep side lever glides greased, and it should last the life-time of the drainage system. Mark Leesman of Leesman Tiling, Atlanta said they have installed eight or 10 control valves and while he has not been given any specific results, “all reports I have heard are positive.” Leesman also said he has installed control boxes on owned and cash rent land. He said, “So far my experience has been the landowner has paid for the control structure.” Leesman said the cost depends on the size of the tile it is installed in and the depth. Installing the box has averaged $1,300 - $1,400, with labor and material average cost is $2,800 - $3,500. He says that longevity should be the life of the tile as it is made from plastic and stainless steel. He points out that a really rolling farm would need so many boxes it would likely be impractical. Continued ►►