The typical costs of installing a new, comprehensive field drainage system can be £2500 to £3500 per hectare with permeable backfill and without £1500 to £2500 per hectare.
Drainage is a long term investment. Given good maintenance, a useful life of at least 20 years can be expected and some systems last decades longer.
Good drainage can:
- Improve crop yield
- Warm soils more quickly in spring improving germination
- Improve environment for soil organisms
- Better access to water and oxygen for plant roots
- Better crop uptake of soil mineral nitrogen
To find out more take a look at the ADDB Field Drainage Guide which looks at the principles, installation and maintenance issues.
http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/media/725158/g68-ahdb-field-drainage-guide.pdf
