September Field Day on Soil Drainage

By Scout Nelson

A special field day on September 9, 2025, will offer farmers and agricultural enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about the impact of drainage and soil health on southern Minnesota. The University of Minnesota has been managing long-term drainage plots near Wells since 2012 to study how different tillage methods, fertilization, and soybean management practices perform on drained and undrained fields.

In collaboration with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts from Waseca, Faribault, and Blue Earth counties, UMN Extension is hosting this informative event. The field day aims to showcase valuable research findings and highlight how different corn and soybean management practices influence carbon intensity (CI) scores.

Participants will have a chance to walk through the research plots, observe current crop conditions for the 2025 growing season, and perform soil health assessments on tilled and untilled plots.

“Every year has been different,” said the Extension Soybean Agronomist and Professor in Agronomy and Plant Genetics. “But these plots really show how drainage can be profitable.”

Additionally, a postdoctoral researcher from the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate will explain how corn nitrogen needs to vary under different tillage and drainage systems. Research has shown that the optimum nitrogen rate tends to be lower in drained conditions, though adjustments may be needed depending on yearly moisture variations.

The event will be held at the Wells Drainage Plots, located at the corner of 250th Street and 20th Street in Vivian Township, Wells, Minnesota. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and participation is free of charge. Lunch will be provided.

Those interested are encouraged to register by contacting the Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District. For more details, visit the event’s official information page on drainage and tillage effects.

This research is supported by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council and the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council.

Photo Credit:minnesota-soybean-council