Radio Iowa, IA
05-08-07
Experts say tons of soil lost from flooded fields
By O.Kay Henderson
Experts estimate this past week's heavy rains pushed thousands of tons of top
soil off Iowa farm fields. According to an Iowa State University analysis, farm
field flooding occurred in parts of 22 Iowa counties and the average soil loss per
acre was seven tons.
Jim Ayen of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends
that farmers check their water-logged fields. "Check areas that have ponding to
make sure that surface inlets, tile inlets, are not plugged with corn stalks that
have floated around...just to make sure that everything is working properly there
in the drainage system," Ayen says.
There may be a silver-lining in the flooding, according to Ayen, as it will give
farmers a very accurate, real-time example of where conservation measures may
be needed most in their fields. "Rain storm events like we've had the last week is
an opportunity for producers to take a look at their land and see where erosion
problems have occurred," Ayen says. In those problem areas, farmers might
consider constructing terraces to stop soil erosion or even expand so-called
buffer strips where grass is planted as a barrier, keeping top soil from flowing into
a nearby waterway. Ayers says expanding underground tiling systems in a farm
field may be the answer in some limited instances.
"They need to be really careful that they're not considering tiling anything that
could be classified as a wetland or a farmed wetland," Ayen says. "That could be
a potential to getting the producer in violation of wetland compliance rules with
USDA."
Ayen cautions against an over-reaction when it comes to farm field flooding.
"Producers need to realize that we have some extreme weather events, so think
of the average not of the extreme in looking at problems," Ayen counsels. "On
the other hand, don't overlook those areas that really need to get some
treatment."