Following recent heavy rains, many Illinois farmers are confronting ponded fields that undermine soil health and cut into crop yields. The underlying cause is often poor drainage, stemming from outdated or undersized field tiles that cannot move excess water quickly enough.

Experts warn that without intervention, the problem escalates year after year. Compacted soils, delayed planting, and reduced seed viability all contribute to lower yields and profits. In some seasons, ponded areas never fully dry out, exacerbating long-term damage.

When water collects, its weight-8.5 pounds per gallon-presses down on the soil, reducing pore space and limiting both air and water movement. This suffocates seeds, restricts root growth, and leaves crops vulnerable to heat and drought stress later in the season.

Management Solutions
While repairing or replacing drainage tiles is the most direct fix, it is often neglected due to cost concerns. Alternative practices such as cover crops and reduced tillage can improve soil health and water infiltration, but experts emphasize that tile investment remains the most effective long-term solution.

Economic Realities
One of the biggest hurdles is the ownership structure of Illinois farmland. A majority of acres are rented, and many absentee landowners are hesitant to invest in drainage improvements, even though poorly drained land consistently earns lower cash rents due to poor yields.

Research shows that yield gains from drainage can quickly cover costs:

• Corn can increase by 25 bushels per acre, netting about $100 per acre annually at $4 per bushel.

• Soybeans may gain 10 bushels per acre, also worth $100 per acre at $10 per bushel.

At these returns, drainage projects can often pay for themselves in under a decade.

Cost of Tile Projects
Small drainage projects spread over a field may cost only a few hundred dollars per acre, while full pattern tiling systems range from $800 to $1,500 per acre depending on outlet needs. Despite high upfront costs, tile systems can last for decades-or even centuries-if properly installed.

Importantly, updating drainage systems does not raise property taxes, as assessments are based on soil types. Tile is also a depreciable asset for tax purposes, offering additional financial benefits.

Looking Ahead
Farmers and landowners are urged to have frank discussions about drainage investments. Using yield maps to identify loss zones, then calculating grain prices against yield potential, can demonstrate the hidden cost of poor drainage.

With Illinois soils prone to waterlogging and weather patterns increasingly volatile, addressing ponded fields is no longer optional. Drainage improvements are key to protecting crop yields, improving soil structure, and ensuring the long-term profitability of farmland.