Southern Iowa producers have faced several years of above-average rainfall during spring planting season. Little crop was grown in 1993 and 1995 due to above-average rainfall and flooded fields. Most yields were reduced again in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2001 due to wet soils and late planting. Wet autumns also delay harvest. Many of the soils common in southern Iowa are described as poorly drained. Producers are hesitant to invest in pattern tiling because of local soil characteristics – high clay, silty loams. Few fields in southern Iowa are pattern tiled. Producers believe that tile lines are only functional for a limited time due to a hard pan forming over the lines and are hesitant to invest significant dollars in installation. In other areas of Iowa with well-drained soils, pattern tiling has been proven successful, however not in southern Iowa.