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.

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2020-2023 • Livestock production

Biocontaminants emitted into the air during the spreading of swine slurry: biosecurity risk assessment and mitigation on hog farms

Project to limit the spread of disease and improve biosecurity protocols on farms through improved understanding of emissions and alternate spreading techniques.

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Patrick Brassard
Stéphane Godbout
2020-2023 • Livestock productionField crops

The agricultural value of whole biomethanation digestate and its various fractions: potential use in fertilization and recycled bedding

Assessment of the efficiency of biomethanation digestate as a fertilizer for field crops and as recycled bedding in dairy production.

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Stéphane Godbout
Christine Landry
Caroline Côté
2020-2024 • Livestock production

Develop and assess emerging green technologies that can lower the risks and dangers associated with aerosols on farms

Assessing an electrostatic precipitator system designed to improve air quality and, thereby, worker health and animal welfare.

Researcher: Stéphane Godbout

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Stéphane Godbout
2020-2024 • Livestock productionField crops

Forage crop irrigation: helping farmers to make informed decisions

Irrigation project to spare farmers the loss of competitiveness and other risks brought about by drought periods.

Researchers: Carl Boivin Luc Belzile

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Carl Boivin
2020-2023 • Livestock production

The impact of alternative housing for laying hens on air quality and the health of workers

The overall aim of this research is to assess the exposure of workers in conventional and alternative egg production facilities to dust and bio-aerosols, and to characterize the respiratory health risks they face.

Researcher: Stéphane Godbout

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Stéphane Godbout
2019-2023 • Livestock production

Fugitive emissions after manure spreading: risk assessment and mitigation

This project addresses the risks posed by the spreading of manure and emissions released into the environment to the biosecurity of farms, as well as to the health of workers and nearby populations.

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Patrick Brassard
Stéphane Godbout
2019-2023 • Livestock production

Developing strategies for animal welfare-compliant livestock buildings, to minimize health risks to workers

This project addresses the risks posed by new breeding practices that were developed to improve animal welfare.

Researcher: Stéphane Godbout

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Stéphane Godbout
2019-2023 • Livestock production

Developing a procedure and tools that utilize genetic markers to identify fecal contamination sources in waterways

This project will develop a procedure that relies on genetic markers to identify the animal species responsible for fecal contamination.

Researcher: Caroline Côté

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Caroline Côté
2019-2022 • Livestock production

Developing strategies to reduce and control pathogens in the drinking water used for outdoor cow-calf breeding

Cow-calf farms tend to prefer outdoor breeding, poor-quality drinking water can have a direct impact on animal health, and may lead to higher pathogen levels in the environment and at slaughter time, and negative consequences for food safety.

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Caroline Côté
Stéphane Godbout
2019-2022 • Livestock production

Using swine slurry bioconversion to produce effective and socially-acceptable fertilizers

Based on previous work conducted at IRDA and our team’s expertise, this project looks to finalize the development of a robust and cost-effective swine slurry bioconversion system.

Researcher: Stéphane Godbout

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Stéphane Godbout
2018-2022 • Livestock production

Redefining indoor and outdoor spaces and proposing practices that promote dairy cow exercise

The project’s objective is to make available an indoor and outdoor exercise yard design that improves dairy cow and calf well-being while complying with Québec regulations.

Researcher: Stéphane Godbout

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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

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