Kyle Whitcomb was nine years old when his grandpa started teaching him about the family business. He now runs that business, Whitcomb Farm Drainage, out of Lake Lillian, Minnesota. He’s focused on meeting his customers’ needs, and one way he does that is by using a v-plow to install pattern tiling. This approach minimizes disturbance to the soil, reducing ruts and erosion while preserving topsoil and nutrients.

Kyle shares what he’s learned from years of using this trenchless installation method, talks through its pros and cons, what beet farmers especially love about it, and why it’s more commonly used in Europe. On a more personal note, Kyle shares a little about being the third generation in his family to run the business, the paths his siblings have taken, and what the future might look like for his family and business.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Why a v-plow?

03:54 Comparing field heal times

04:40 Pattern tiling in no-till systems

06:00 Why beet farmers love v-plow installation

07:25 V-plow vs straight shank plow

09:30 The future of v-plowing in ag drainage

12:24 Variations and popularity in Europe

14:17 Kyle’s custom intake boxes

19:00 The legacy of the Whitcomb family business

Related Content:

• #127:  Cover Crops and No-Till: A Conservationist’s Perspective 
• #97: Stay Curious– Life Lessons from One Contractor to Another 
• V-Plow for Victory in Rut Reduction

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