Agricultural Land Drainage

Specific educational objectives

• Classify soil types and their pertinent characteristics in relation to drainage capacity.
• Explain water movement in soils and hydrology in the Irish landscape.
• Identify soil characteristics in the field by manually and visually assessing a range of different soil types, and classify each type in terms of its drainage characteristics.
• Identify a range of typical land drainage problems and poorly drained soil characteristics.
• Appraise different land types and recommend appropriate drainage system design in terms of system type and material specifications.

Course Structure

The course will be offered over a total of 8 days comprising 4 x 2 day training blocks. To allow for a range of soils to be assessed by course participants it will be necessary to hold the course in a range of venues across the country to cater for geographical diversity. Field sites on a range of poorly drained soil types will be required. Normally each training block will take place in a different location.

Awarding Body

QQI Level 6 | Component Certificate

Fees

The fee for the Certificate in Agricultural Land Drainage is €895 for non-members and €750 for Teagasc ConnectEd members. Fees are eligible for tax relief. Payment can me made during online registration.

Cancellation

Cancellations up to three weeks prior to the course commencing will be given a full refund. Thereafter, no refunds will be made.

Course content

The course will cover soil characterisation, hydrology, land drainage problems and their diagnosis, land drainage system types and design and the aftercare of drainage systems and drained lands. The course will entail both classroom and field based elements. On completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Appraise all relevant online information-general soil types and characteristics, historic drainage, field boundaries, elevation, rainfall, water features, land use and topography
• Classify soil types and their pertinent characteristics in relation to drainage capacity.
• Explain water movement in soils and hydrology in the Irish landscape
• Identify soil characteristics in the field by manually and visually assessing a range of different soil types, and classify each type in terms of its drainage characteristics
• Identify a range of typical land drainage problems and poorly drained soil characteristics
• Explain techniques and materials used in land drainage and the remediation of damaged soils
• Survey land in terms of geometry and topography to recommend drainage layout arrangement
• Appraise different land types and recommend appropriate drainage system design in terms of system type and material specifications
• Specify appropriate drainage system types, installation procedure, after care and maintenance to include map, design specification, costings and justification
• Manage compliance requirements of drainage system installation, particularly in relation to Environmental Impact Assessment regulations

Online application

There are no courses scheduled at present