The University of Minnesota is conducting research on drainage. “We’re looking at impacts on yields, nutrient losse and environmental impact downstream,” said Lindsay Pease, Extension soil scientist. Installing drainage is a long-term investment. Pease expects the 60 acre drainage trial to earn back the cost of installation in about ten years. The research at the University of Minnesota-Crookston has been underway since 2019. “Since then, it’s been relatively dry so we aren’t seeing that immediate return year-after-year.” Yields have gotten more consistent which is beneficial.
