July 08, 2026
In June, LAAS MS student Bob Fowler presented his work at two field days at UMN Research and Outreach Centers (ROCs) in Waseca and Lamberton.
Bob's NRCS-funded work involves planting increasing seeding rates of cover crops to assess how the biomass densities of these rates positively impact the environment in terms of reducing sediment loss from erosion and nitrogen losses to groundwater.
He presented the first complete year of data (2024-25), which revealed that the rye cover crops reduced erosion to 540 pounds per acre, compared to the unplanted control which experienced around 3400 pounds per acre of sediment loss. Nitrate leaching was reduced to 2.5 to 10 ppm depending on rye seeding rate, which was significantly below the control of 36 ppm. Between both field days, this work reached 100-120 farmers and technical assistance providers.
"This was my first time presenting to farmer and industry-heavy audiences," shared Bob. "I found this to be great practice boiling down years of work to a core "story" and really getting to the point with outcomes. This was a wonderful experience and I look forward to continuing to hone my outreach and public speaking skills."
He presented the first complete year of data (2024-25), which revealed that the rye cover crops reduced erosion to 540 pounds per acre, compared to the unplanted control which experienced around 3400 pounds per acre of sediment loss. Nitrate leaching was reduced to 2.5 to 10 ppm depending on rye seeding rate, which was significantly below the control of 36 ppm. Between both field days, this work reached 100-120 farmers and technical assistance providers.
"This was my first time presenting to farmer and industry-heavy audiences," shared Bob. "I found this to be great practice boiling down years of work to a core "story" and really getting to the point with outcomes. This was a wonderful experience and I look forward to continuing to hone my outreach and public speaking skills."
Keep up the great work, Bob!