SPRINGFIELD, IL.  February 20, 2020. The Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) recognized four students for outstanding presentation of their nutrient management research. The awards, voted on by professionals and by attendees, were decided on Thursday, February 13 at NREC’s annual research forum – NREC Investment Insight LIVE.  Each student will receive an NREC portable charger for their recognition.

“Each graduate student’s poster was evaluated on its presentation quality, originality, interpretation of results, and how well the student communicated their results,” Shani Golovay said.  Dr. Golovay is NREC’s research manager. Evaluators were drawn from the attendees who have a history of reviewing posters.  “We also decided a People’s Choice award for one student’s effort,” she added.

The three students receiving professionally-juried awards were:

  • First place: Taylor Berkshire for “Removing Dissolved Phosphorus with P-Sorbing Materials.” Berkshire is a student at the University of Illinois.
  • Second place (tie): Corey Lacey for “Investigation of Fate of Cereal Rye Residue and Fertilizer N within a Corn and Soybean Rotation.” Lacey is a student at Illinois State University.
  • Second place (tie): Allan Hertzberger for “Struvite” a Slow Release Phosphorus Source of Illinois Corn and Soybeans.” Hertzberger is a student at the University of Illinois.

Richard Roth, a student at Purdue University, received the People’s Choice award for his “A Long-Term Evaluation of Nitrogen Application Timing and Cover Crops Impacts on the Fate and Availability of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Crop Production on Tile Drained Fields.”

Copies of the posters from the 27 student who participated will be on the NREC web site at www.illinoisnrec.org in the coming days.

 

The Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC) was created by state statute in 2012. Funded by a 75-cent per ton assessment on bulk fertilizer sold in Illinois, NREC provides financial support for nutrient research and education programs to ensure the discovery and adoption of practices that address environmental concerns, optimize nutrient use efficiency, and ensure soil fertility. A 13-member NREC Council annually solicits, reviews and funds projects that fulfill the organization’s mission.