Research Projects
Each year, IRDA's R&D Team conducts more than one hundred research projects in sustainable agriculture. What's more, IRDA is working with Quebec's key agricultural stakeholders to find concrete solutions.
Revising the nutrient balance sheet for estimating phosphorus loading in laying hen production
This project was set up to test the nutrient balance sheet method as a tool for estimating phosphorus output from pullets and laying hens.
Researcher: Marc-Olivier Gasser
Impact of floor type on odour emissions in hog production: evaluating average emissions and quantifying their reduction in hog finishing barns
The objective of the project was to demonstrate that next generation hog barn design (slatted floors over 2/3 or more of the area) generate less odor.
Researcher: Stéphane Godbout
An innovative and economical air treatment technology for pig farms
IRDA and CRIUCPQ have been working on developing an air treatment unit to reduce pig farm emissions.
Methane treatment of a covered slurry tank using a high efficiency biofilter
Stored pig manure is a major source of greenhouse gases. The main objective of this project was to demonstrate the long-term performance of a biofilter.
Technical guide on how to factor in added bedding and water and feed losses in determining the total volume for designing manure storage tanks
When designing tanks, the total volume of material to be stored must be calculated. This guide provides a comprehensive calculation method that takes into account volumes of bedding added as well as feed and water losses.
Researcher: Stéphane Godbout
Managing berms and swales to increase the effectiveness of vegetative filter strips around beef cow wintering lots
This project aimed to evaluate the purification capacity of different configurations of swales planted with shrubs or perennial grasses to serve as vegetative filter strips.
Researcher: Marc-Olivier Gasser
Bioproduct combination study to avoid antibiotics in broiler chicken production
The objective of this study is to create a cheap, effective, ecofriendly alternative to the use of antibiotics on chicken farms by developing a new formula using yeasts, enzymes, and organic acids.
Researcher: Stéphane Godbout
The solutions developed by IRDA aim to...
Ensure the sustainability
and quality of soil, water, and air
Protect the health and well-being
of local communities by improving the quality of crop and livestock production, with an emphasis on animal welfare
Safeguard the economic viability
of crop and livestock production