About this Session

Mississippi Delta Fields Benefit From Drain Tile – And Just Might Benefit From Subsurface Irrigation

Presented by:  Darla Huff, Director of Agriculture, Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

Agriculture market fluctuations across farm inputs continue to cloud what decisions can guarantee improved profitability while farmers are challenged to do more with less. Now, more than ever, drainage water management could take the guesswork out of increasing long-term ROI in the Delta: it improves crop yields, raises land value, lowers break-even price, reduces necessary water use, and decreases nitrate loss –all while serving as a conservation practice. What if it irrigates, too?

My Experiences Using The Advanced Drainage System For The Past Year

Presented by:  Matt Miles, Arkansas Farmer

After one year of using the Advanced Drainage System, Miles gives a “thumbs up” on the drainage piece. Installation of the irrigation part of the system is still underway. He will discuss some situations he dealt with the past year, showing slides of some of the installation progress.
Matt, his wife, Sherrie Kay, along with their son and daughter in law, Layne and Ryane Miles, farm over 10,000 acres of the Mississippi delta located in the southeast corner of Arkansas in Ashley, Desha, Drew and Chicot County. They began farming in 1989 and are fourth generation farmers. Matt and Sherrie have a combined 70 years of experience in agriculture. They began their operation together in 1989, using their savings to put a down payment on an old tractor, with the help of both their fathers loaning them equipment and advice, but mostly being extremely blessed by God. They have over 35 dedicated employees that has become a “farmily.” They harvested 108.6 bushels soybeans in their first 10-bushel plot in 2013, which broke the state record. Their current record is 122 bushels harvested in 2022.Together with son, Layne, they have reached 100-plus bushel soybeans 13more times in 8 years. Sherrie is the first woman, and Layne is the youngest farmer to break 100 bushels in the state soybean challenge. Matt and Layne are also multiple state winners in the National Corn Growers Association Yield Contest. Matt is a Board Member of the Agricultural Council of Arkansas, he was appointed to the Arkansas State Plant Board in 2021 and was recently selected to serve on the Rabo Agri Finance Advisory Board. Matt speaks at many destinations around the country to farmers on different agricultural topics and is now in his third season on “The Podfather”, a reality/educational TV show, that airs on RFD TV showcasing what he does as a producer. Both Matt and Sherrie hold bachelor’s degrees from University of Arkansas at Monticello, Matt in Ag Business and Sherrie in business management. Matt spends any spare time he has testing new theories and technologies to help teach others and further the advancement of production agriculture.