NACADE 2025 recap
The 2025 North American Conservation & Drainage Expo (NACADE) in Indianapolis, Indiana, brought together industry leaders, researchers and professionals to discuss the latest advancements in water management. This was the second biennial event, founded by Jason and Justin Brown, brothers and owners of Mid America Trenchers from Dexter, Iowa, along with Brad Baker with Springfield Plastics. Mid America produces the Buckeye line of wheel trenchers and Link drainage plows.
Advancing Drainage Science
The Transforming Drainage Project, an initiative from 2015 to 2021, has left an revolutionary mark on agricultural drainage practices across the Midwest. This groundbreaking endeavor, driven by a multidisciplinary team of experts and supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, introduced innovative drainage strategies addressing critical environmental and agricultural challenges.
The Rise of HDPP Pipe
The world of water management is continuously evolving, with materials like high-density polypropylene (HDPP) expanding the role of plastic pipe in demanding applications. Rather than replacing high-density polyethylene (HDPE), HDPP offers a solution for situations where HDPE may not be the best fit, taking on projects traditionally handled by concrete or metal.
ADMC Corner with Keegan Kult 2025
Another check-in with Keegan Kult, Executive Director for ADMC, yielded some exciting updates for the drainage water management industry.
Blueprint for Success: Shaping Your Own Path
The road to becoming who you want to be isn’t an easy one. It’s marked by hard work, setbacks and challenges that will test you at every turn. Marshall’s words remind us that success doesn’t come to those who wait for it—it’s built by those who roll up their sleeves and press on, no matter how tough it gets.
Headed West: Fratco’s Frontier in Western Irrigation
At Fratco, our legacy of innovation and quality spans over a century, and we’re far from finished. We’ve put together a short video series to showcase how we’re “Investing in Tomorrow.” This series invites you to witness our journey as we build upon our strong foundation and prepare for a future filled with new possibilities.
Battenfeld-Cincinnati
Out in the rolling fields of McPherson, Kansas, Battenfeld-Cincinnati has humbly been shaping the future of manufacturing since 1977, steadily building a reputation as a powerhouse in extrusion technology. Originally founded as American Maplan Corporation, the company has become a leader in extrusion technology, building state-of-the-art equipment that serves industries from fencing and siding to pipe manufacturing.
Stronger Together: The Power of Partnerships in Business
At Fratco, our legacy of innovation and quality spans over a century, and we’re far from finished. We’ve put together a short video series to showcase how we’re “Investing in Tomorrow.” This series invites you to witness our journey as we build upon our strong foundation and prepare for a future filled with new possibilities.
Blueprint for Success: Just One More Time
We’ve all been there–elbow-deep in a project, facing a roadblock that seems impossible to overcome. You’ve tried every tool in your box, every trick in the book and still, the solution seems just out of reach. It’s in moments like these that Thomas Edison’s words hit home: “The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
Understanding Subirrigation: A Game-Changer for Agriculture
When it comes to innovative farming techniques, few methods have sparked as much conversation as subirrigation. It’s been a game-changer, especially for farmers grappling with the challenges of poorly drained soils. We had the opportunity to sit down with Charlie Schafer, CEO of Agri Drain, to learn why this technique is making waves in the industry. Charlie’s insights go beyond the basics, offering a deeper understanding of how subirrigation works and why it is a great step forward to more sustainable agriculture.