Overview

Ohio State University researchers have developed a real‑time, low‑cost sensing and control system that addresses a critical challenge in agriculture: limited ability to actively manage water in tile‑drained fields and controlled irrigation systems under variable weather and soil conditions.

The Opportunity

This technology provides farmers with a practical way to control water, not just drain it. By combining low‑cost sensors, automated valves, and simple control logic, the system enables proactive management of tile drainage and irrigation to reduce crop stress, protect yields, and turn water variability into an operational advantage rather than a financial risk.

Key Advantages

• Farmer‑Driven Value: Positions water control as a tool to protect yield, optimize inputs, and improve the farm bottom line.
• Low‑Cost Retrofit: Designed for deployment on existing tile drainage and controlled irrigation systems without major infrastructure changes.
• Adaptive Field Management: Responds dynamically to soil moisture and forecasted rainfall rather than relying on static drainage designs.
• Operational Simplicity: Automates decision‑making while providing real‑time visibility into field conditions.
• Scalable Platform: Applicable across row crops, specialty crops, and nursery operations.

Transform Your Agricultural Water Management

This technology may enable a shift from passive drainage to precision water control, allowing farmers to manage variability rather than react to it. By improving water timing and availability at the field level, the system supports more resilient production, reduced losses, and better economic outcomes under increasingly unpredictable conditions.

The Ohio State University is seeking licensing and strategic partners to advance pilot deployments and commercialization within agricultural markets.