Lowery, Birl
Birl Lowery
Dr. Birl Lowery is a soil scientist who researched soil temperature and water regimes, erosion, compaction, contaminant flow in soil, and groundwater quality. He has extensive research publications in various journals, proceedings, popular press, and book chapters. Dr. Lowery spent his 34-year career as a professor in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW). During his tenure, Dr. Lowerey served as department chair and senior associate dean at the UW College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He retired in 2014.
Olson, K. R., Al-Kaisi, M. M., Lal, R., & Lowery, B. (2014). Experimental consideration, treatments, and methods in determining soil organic carbon sequestration rates. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 78(2), 348-360.
Arriaga, F. J., Lowery, B., & Mays, M. D. (2006). A fast method for determining soil particle size distribution using a laser instrument. Soil Science, 171(9), 663-674.
Arriaga, F. J., & Lowery, B. (2003). Soil physical properties and crop productivity of an eroded soil amended with cattle manure. Soil science, 168(12), 888-899.
Park, S. J., McSweeney, K., & Lowery, B. (2001). Identification of the spatial distribution of soils using a process-based terrain characterization. Geoderma, 103(3-4), 249-272.
Arshad, M. A., Lowery, B., & Grossman, B. (1997). Physical tests for monitoring soil quality. Methods for assessing soil quality, 49, 123-141.
In 1973, Dr. Lowery obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Alcorn University. He went to graduate school at Mississippi State University where he worked as a Graduate Research Assistant. He completed his master of arts degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1975. He then moved west to continue studying at Oregon State University. He was a research assistant there and completed his a doctorate in Soil Physics in 1980.
In 1980, after completing his Ph.D., Dr. Lowery received a faculty position at the University of Wisconsin (UW) Madison Soil Science Department. Dr. Lowery researches soil and water management, conservation, and soil physics. He seeks to provide solutions to soil and water conservation and management problems. Dr. Lowery is particularly interested in the movement of water and pollutants in soils, soil compaction, soil erosion effects on crop production and soil quality, and impacts of conservation tillage on soil physical properties. Dr. Lowery also examined groundwater pollution.
His research is crucial in groundwater management and regenerative agriculture. His team conducted studies evaluating management methods for improving irrigation water use and reducing nitrogen leaching, assessing the impacts of water use for crop irrigation on groundwater table elevations in Central Wisconsin, investigating the potential use of organic residue such as animal manure to improve the physical condition of eroded soil and increase soil carbon, and analyzing the potential for groundwater contamination by agricultural chemicals.
From 1999 to 2004, Dr. Lowery served as the Chair of the Department. He was Senior Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from 2010 to 2013. His research findings were published in dozens of peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, popular press, and book chapters. Dr. Lowery also served as Associate Editor for several journals.
During his free time, he enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, motorcycling, camping, and traveling.
In 2019, Dr. Lowery discussed his recently passed colleague Fred Madison, who was a great friend and peer mentor. “Fred’s the person I learned the most from about Wisconsin’s landscapes and about mining in the Mineral Point area. He had a tremendous amount of knowledge on these topics, and I really enjoyed working with him on the course” (Spaeth-Bauer).
Dr. Lowery has taught and mentored many students throughout his teaching career. He co-authored papers with some of his research students.
Spaeth-Bauer, C. (2019, August 16). Working with farmers, Dr. Dirt helped address water resource challenges. https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/news/2019/08/16/working-farmers-dr-dirt-….
UW-Madison. 2023. Birl Lowery. https://soils.wisc.edu/people/emeritus-faculty/birl-lowery/.