Research

Quantifying Hydrologic Impacts of Drainage Under Corn Production Systems in the Upper Midwest

(2014)
University of Minnesota/Jeff Strock

This research will use a combination of field research and modeling to quantify the water balances of corn production systems, with and without the presence of subsurface drainage, along a precipitation gradient from eastern South Dakota to south central Minnesota. Understanding the hydrologic response of drainage and crop water consumption at both the field and watershed scale will help corn growers be economically competitive while also informing development of tools and management approaches that can minimize their environmental impact under various climate conditions.