The Water Table

Jamie and Karl are in the hot seat on this live episode of The Water Table Podcast. From questions about the future of water management and drainage water recycling to what they would ask President Trump about agriculture, Jamie and Karl tackle it all in front of an audience of drainage contractors. Live, unedited, and unpredictable... What’s on the minds of folks in our industry?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
04:56 Welcome!
05:20Prinsco Drainage School
06:45How to explain the environmental impact of drainage?
08:45The point of The Water Table
10:10A rural economic engine
12:26How are companies handling uncertainty amidst policy change?
14:10Tariffs on Canadian Imports
15:58The future of drainage water recycling
18:50Drainage water recycling in Canada - 23 years ago!
20:25Tree roots in pipe
22:15Locking bell and gasket for dual wall?
23:30Share your ideas!
24:00The evolution of drainage over 50 years
26:00Pattern tiling moving around the country
29:50What do the next 10 years look like?
31:15Ask President Trump
34:15It’s all about relationships!

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We’re catching up with our Northern neighbor in this episode, where we discuss the complex intersection of agriculture, drainage, and the environment in Canada and the United States. Guest host Trey Allis chats with Mel Luymes, Executive Director of the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario (LICO) about the evolution of pipe standards in Canada, the rigorous certification process for both operators and equipment, and Mel’s insights from her Midwest drainage tour. 

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and Mel's Background

04:25 The History of Drainage in Ontario

06:48 Ontario Operator and Equipment Licensing

08:59 Drainage Legislation and Regulation in Ontario

11:30 ON-CA Drainage Guide (Publication 29)

12:35 Evolving Pipe Standards and Certification

17:58 Mel's Midwest Drainage Tour

20:45 Impressions from the Midwest: Bioreactors, Wetlands, and Treatment Trains

24:39 Applying Midwest Innovations in Canada

25:53 Drainage Research and Innovation

27:36 Contour Drainage and Subsurface Irrigation

31:05 Precision Drainage and Soil Analysis

34:55 The Intersection of Agriculture and the Environment

37:32 The Future of Drainage

Related Content: 

• Loren Benz Wetland Restoration
• Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario
• #119: Revolutionizing Drainage: Improving Infrastructure with Technology
• #54: Building Wealth Through Tiling: Insights from Canada’s Original Installer 
• #34: The Birth of an Industry. Eh?

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From extreme weather and its impact on crop yields to the importance of timely drainage installations, Karl Guetter, farmer and Prinsco Ag Segment Lead, discusses the results of 2024 and offers valuable insights for navigating the challenges and opportunities of today's agricultural landscape. Learn what’s ahead for commodity prices, how timely installations could mean leaning on drainage contractors, and the potential influence of the new administration on the industry.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro - 2024 Ag Review & 2025 Preview

00:45 2024's Wild Ride: Weather Extremes

01:25 Wet Spring, Dry Summer: Farmer Challenges

03:45 The Drainage Difference in 2024

04:45 Karl's Farming Perspective: 2024 Struggles

07:45 When to DIY Drainage & When to Hire

11:30 Weighing the Costs

14:00 Commodity Market Update

16:30 Resin & Pipe Pricing: What to Expect in 2025

20:35 Weather & the Ag Economy: Regional Differences

22:15 The New Administration

23:00 Predictions & Priorities for 2025

25:30 Final Thoughts: Adapting to Change

Related Content: 

• #115: How Will the 2024 Election Results Impact Ag?
• #111: Drainage Contractors – Water Management MVPs
• #53: 4 Factors Driving the Continued Demand for Tile

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What began as a collaboration between several land-grant universities in the Mississippi River Basin has now grown to include farmers, non-profit organizations and businesses in the ag industry. Jenny Seifert, Watershed Outreach Specialist, joins us on this episode of The Water Table podcast to explain why One Good Idea is so important, and how farmer-to-farmer learning is crucial to agricultural water management.

Related Content: 

• One Good Idea Website
• Episode #112: A Five Generation Farm: One Woman’s Journey Home
• Episode #65: Outsmarting Mother Nature with Drainage Recycling

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From televising underground drainage systems to using LIDAR drones and hydraulic modeling, one engineering and design firm in the Twin Cities is using cutting-edge tech to transform watersheds and drainage systems in the upper Midwest. Guest host Trey Allis sits down with ISG Vice President and National Drainage Expert Chuck Brandel to learn how this technology is providing solutions for drainage contractors and professionals and the water management industry.

Chapter & Episode Topics:
00:00   Today on the Water Table Podcast
00:23   On the road at ISG
01:15   How do you look at 100-year old pipe
02:45   Catastrophic failures
03:20   No meetings during harvest…
04:30   Serving its purpose
05:40   Making sure it’s cost-effective
06:17   After installation…is it up to standards?
07:30   Courtesy run
08:06   The advantage of avoidance
10:00   Making sure it’s done right
12:20   Building relationships with contractors
13:20   Any other tools?
14:00   The cost effectiveness of LIDAR
15:50   Thank God for GPS
17:25   Hydraulic modeling
19:25   Giving farmers the confidence

Related Content: 

• ISG
• Episode 107: Drainage Summit and Crumbling Infrastructure: Why Collaboration is Key
• Episode 21: Ellingson Companies: A Passion For Ag Water Management
• Episode 13: Advocacy and Water Management Practices

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From introducing GPS for grid tiling in New York to sharing best practices in agricultural water management, Chad Klotzbach of Alleghany Services has become an advocate for the drainage industry. Learn why he feels education is so important and how applying research from the Midwest is benefitting his East Coast business.

Chapters & Episode Topics:
00:00   Today on the Water Table Podcast
00:26   Welcome Chad Klotzbach
01:00   All the way from New York
01:30   Farm drainage up and down the East Coast
02:07   Second generation and GPS
03:10   More opportunity = More challenges
04:35   Average project is 35 acres, Boston, Maryland, Delaware… it’s diverse!
05:55   The benefits of education
07:20   Bringing the Midwest research to the Northeast
08:24   Non-traditional drainage states
09:46   Selling snake-oil or advocate?
11:25   Shameless drainage promotion
12:40   The first bioreactor in Massachusetts
14:14   Controlled drainage
15:00   Precision agriculture – including drainage.
16:30   Three feet of rain in the spring
17:15   Learning from the conferences
18:53   Still a lot of work to do
19:20   Personal achievements
20:50   Big thanks to our guest!

Related Content: 

• Alleghany Services
• ADMC
• Episode #62: A Water Management Industry Insider Shares How Management Practices are Improving and How You Can Benefit
• Episode #116: A Unified Voice and Vision for Agricultural Water Management

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We're looking back on our top episodes of 2024! From the life lessons of seasoned drainage contractors to how the next generation is shaking up the ag industry, our conversations on The Water Table podcast explored a wide range of topics. What ties them all together? They highlight the unsung heroes of our industry and the crucial role water management plays in agriculture and our world.

Chapters & Episode Topics:
00:00   Welcome to our year-end wrap up!
01:00   It Takes Passion & A Willingness to Improve
01:03   Bob Lepper and Jacob Handsaker
03:56   Legacy Improvements– Creating Resiliency
04:38   Matt Helmers, Kellie Blair and Jacob Handsaker
07:07   Batch & Build Explained
07:31   Ruth McCabe
10:02   When Drainage, Farming & Water Quality Come Together
10:22   Guest host Trey Allis and Chuck Brandel
12:15   Educating Farmers; It’s hard to care about what you can’t see!
12:34   Alex Buseman
14:54   The Crux of the Argument– Behind the Lawsuit Against the USDA Over the Swampbuster Statute
15:20   Loren Seehase
17:09   Is Tile Drainage Decreasing, or Do Numbers Sometimes Lie?
17:27   Dr. Ehsan Ghane
19:02   9,000+ Miles of Building Relationships and Hands-On Learning
19:25   Harris Duininck and Griffin Duininck
22:52   Rapping About Drainage – A Water Table First!
23:10   Dr. John McMaine
25:09   Impact of Drainage in Rural Communities
25:29   Ross Wetherell
27:39   The Possibilities to Create Change in Ag Are Endless
27:57   Dr. Amy Kaleita

Top Episodes of 2024: 

• Episode 97
• Episode 100
• Episode 104
• Episode 107
• Episode 95
• Episode 106
• Episode 105
• Episode 96
• Episode 103
• Episode 109
• Episode 99

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The Agriculture Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) is giving a voice to folks in the industry. From farmers to drainage contractors and researchers to engineers, the ADMC’s success in offering solutions and implementing best practices like batch & build is making a difference for those shaping the future of water management. Trey Allis steps into the host seat to talk with Keegan Kult, Executive Director of the ADMC, on this episode of The Water Table podcast.

Chapters & Episode Topics:
00:00   Today on the Water Table Podcast
00:18   Welcome to Keegan Kult
01:00   What is the ADMC?
03:32   Current ADMC Projects
04:40   Batch and Build
06:20   It’s all about efficiency
08:00   Taking the pressure off the landowner
09:30   Batch and Build hotspots in Iowa
10:05   A few hundred sites in Cedar Rapids
11:30   Walking to running
12:50   Applying batch and build to drainage water management
14:20   It’s not 50 years ago…
15:20   The more control the better
16:08   ADMC Contractor Survey
17:55   A Website redesign
20:00   Trey volunteers for a job…
21:00   Climate Smart Funding
26:00   Saturated buffers and the funding
28:25   Educational opportunities
29:15   NACADE

Related Content: 

• Episode #56: A More Efficient Approach to Water Quality: Batch and Build
• Episode #82: Getting #%@$ Done in Iowa with Batch and Build
• North American Conservation and Drainage Expo (NACADE) 2025
• Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition

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Now that the votes are counted, what do the 2024 election results mean for the future of agriculture? In this timely episode of The Water Table podcast, Jamie sits down with former Congressman Collin Peterson for a conversation about how the next four years may impact farmers, drainage contractors, and other folks in the industry.

Chapters & Episode Topics:
00:00   Today on The Water Table podcast
01:20   Votes are in– now what?
02:10   Will there be a farm bill?
03:00   Hurricanes, disaster relief and more
04:00   It will be an extension…
05:30   The old farm bill covers it.
06:20   Why is CRP closed?
08:00   What about the turnover on the Senate Ag Committee?
10:22   New Secretary of Agriculture
11:18   A mandate
12:00   What about RFK Jr.?
12:45   The DOGE Committee
13:15   The farm vote
14:00   Who will chair Ag in the house?
15:05   It’s all speculation
16:15   The election didn’t surprise…
17:30   The script has flipped in rural America
18:46   Are taxes the bigger issue?
20:10   Get ahold of the deficit
22:00   Making a difference
22:30   Changes are coming on the Ag committee
23:29   Next governor of Minnesota?
25:00   The politics of it all
26:50   Hoping for changes in water rules…

Related Content: 

• Episode #28: The Midwest Council On Agriculture 
• Episode #42: How the War in Ukraine Could Impact Agriculture 

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Trey Allis takes over hosting duties to talk with Iowa State PhD student researcher, Eric Henning about the work he’s doing to assess Iowa’s opportunities as the state replaces its outdated water mains. From reducing ponding, increasing yields and addressing water quality issues, the benefits could be significant to agriculture in the Midwest.

Chapters & Episode Topics:
00:00   Today on the Water Table Podcast
00:25   Welcome Eric Henning
01:00   Drainage District improvements in Iowa
03:00   Crop production impact
04:00   Thinking differently
05:29   Keeping yields private…
06:00   Utilizing satellite images
07:30   Comparing sister districts
09:00   Upgrading the main
10:30   Isolating the corn and soybean fields
13:10   Seeing the damage firsthand
14:19   ET – evaporation and transpiration
16:30   How do you measure that?
18:30   Drainage water recycling
20:30   Digging the storage ponds
23:30   A lot of moving parts
25:00   Where’d you matriculate from?
26:45   Nebraska to ISU
27:40   What’s next?

Related Content: 

• Best Practice: Drainage Water Recycling
• Episode 71: Is Drainage Infrastructure More Valuable Than Underground Transit?
• Episode 107: Drainage Summit and a Crumbling Infrastructure; Why Collaboration is Key
• Episode 110: Bridging the Gap Between Water Management Research and Application
• Episode 113: Drainage Water Recycling: Creating Resiliency Amidst Dwindling Resources

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