Some drainage doubters have legitimate concerns about whether or not drainage would worsen the effects of drought conditions in fields where soil moisture is significantly lacking. Dr. Vinayak Shedekar of the Ohio State University agrees that drainage could potentially worsen field conditions in areas experiencing significant drought – like the one experienced by Ohio in the summer of 2024, when more than 20 counties were declared to be on a D4 drought condition, some even into November, resulting in a significant decrease in yield for grain crops across the interstate.

But Shedekar points out that, at least in Ohio's case, drainage still helped overall. Fields with drainage systems had the advantage of a better planting season, due to a wet spring. Even as drought conditions worsens, Shedekar says arguments that drainage systems significantly worsen field conditions don't – no pun in tended – hold water.

This podcast is sponsored by Timewell.