This can be accomplished by using wide bottom ditches that can handle larger volumes of water as opposed to the V-bottom ditches that are commonly seen. In addition, Jerry has designed this drain way to move water counter to the larger intersecting drain way which slows water movement and allows sedimentation to occur more readily. This is the intersecting water way that is impounding a small amount of water. This illustrates another soil conserving practice. Jerry places old round bales of hay around a highway culvert.
Culverts concentrate and accelerate water which increases soil erosion proportionally.
In contrast, on this neighbors farm, a culvert has accelerated soil erosion dramatically. We headed to Ramage Farms , north of Hooks, Texas, on FM560 to look at a well known, highly productive, and innovatively managed agricultural enterprise. Mr. Bart Ramage discussed the cultural and management practices that are used throughout the entire year. He also serves as the TBMA Marketing director which requires him to coordinate and broker 70 member growers fruit nationally and internationally. Bart estimates the 1998 Texas blueberry crop at 1.5 million lbs.