UNL CropWatch March 25, 2011: Higgins Rewarded for Work at UNL High Plains Ag Lab

UNL CropWatch March 25, 2011: Higgins Rewarded for Work at UNL High Plains Ag Lab

March 25, 2011

Rob Higgins was recently recognized for his impact on weed science as a research technician for two decades at the UNL High Plains Agricultural Laboratory near Sidney.

Photo: Rob Higgins

 Rob Higgins

Higgins received the 2010 Western Society of Weed Science Distinguished Achievement Award for Professional Staff recently at the society’s annual meeting at Spokane, Wash. This award recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions in support of weed science activities. Nominees are restricted to individuals who work under the direction of university, federal, or industry scientists. Awards are based on merit and impact on weed science and weed management practices. Professional achievements and their impacts are the principal criteria for receiving these awards.

Higgins was nominated by his supervisor, Drew Lyon, UNL dryland cropping system specialist at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff. Lyon supervises research at the High Plains Ag Lab. Lyon's nomination was supported by several professionals in the industry.

“He maintains an excellent contact pool of potential cooperators, which allows him to find specific weed-crop complexes for research sites when they are not available at the ag lab,” according to Lyon.

Lyon also praised Higgins’ willingness to work early and late hours to assure herbicide applications were made when most appropriate.  

“Perhaps one of Rob’s greatest contributions to weed science has been his impact on graduate students,” Lyon said. “Rob truly enjoys working with graduate students and he has helped many students from Nebraska and adjacent states with their research projects.”

Higgins has been at the High Plains Ag Lab since 1991. He received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences a year earlier from UNL, after earning an associate degree in agricultural business from the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture at Curtis. He is currently working on a master’s degree in agriculture through the UNL Distance Education Program.

David Ostdiek, Communications Specialist
Panhandle REC, Scottsbluff

 

Online Master of Science in Agronomy

With a focus on industry applications and research, the online program is designed with maximum flexibility for today's working professionals.

A field of corn.