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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Major Initiatives
Major initiatives (6)Activity area
Livestock production (21) Market gardening (23) Fruit production (41) Field crops (24)Services
Soil health (29) Water protection (14) Air quality (16) Ecosystem protection (6) (9) Fertilizer management (21) Pest, weed, and disease control (47) Animal welfare (12) Food safety and quality (4) Organic farming (16) Waste conversion (1) Environmental regulations (3) Coexisting in an agricultural environment (2) Laboratory analyzes (2)Experts
Implementation, management, and assessment of flower strips in orchards to promote the biodiversity of beneficial arthropods as an alternative to pesticide application
Developing and assessing the planting of flower strips in orchard inter-rows as an alternative to the application of insecticides.
Researchers: Daniel Cormier Gérald Chouinard
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
The impact of alternative farming systems on the health and productivity of laying hens
This project aims to measure the impact of new breeding systems that meet new animal welfare standards regarding air quality and the health and productivity of laying hens.
Researcher: Stéphane Godbout
A theoretical approach to the quantitative and qualitative study of maple syrup production wastewater
Quantitative and qualitative study of maple syrup production wastewater.
Researcher: Stéphane Godbout
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.
Researchers: Patrick Brassard Stéphane Godbout
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
Developing a monitoring tool and new construction techniques to boost the sustainability of agricultural structures
This project will gather and share up-to-date information on new techniques and critical points related to the construction of farm buildings and their sustainability.
Researcher: Stéphane Godbout
Installing and operating a hydrometric station at Ruisseau aux Castors
IRDA has been mandated to design, install, and operate a hydrometric station at the watershed outlet of Ruisseau aux Castors in the Brome-Missisquoi regional county municipality.
Researcher: Simon Ricard
A technology showcase of irrigation management decision-support tools for use in a variety of contexts
Showcase that will present and compare, in an impartial manner, a number of decision-support tools and technologies.
Researcher: Carl Boivin
Hydrometric monitoring of the Ruisseau Bouchard watershed
This project will assist with the ongoing hydrometric monitoring of the flux and quality of water in Ruisseau Bouchard.
Researcher: Aubert Michaud, retraité
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
A study of workforce productivity and its determinants in Québec’s strawberry sector
Project studying ways to maximize workforce productivity in strawberry production.
Researcher: Luc Belzile
Developing an air quality measurement tool with an integrated digital interface for use in livestock buildings
Project, conducted in collaboration with a Belgian team, to develop an integrated tool for measuring the air quality in livestock buildings.
Researcher: Stéphane Godbout
Including perennial fodder crops as “cut and carry” nitrogen sources in long-term rotations of organically grown potatoes and field crops
We will compare the ability of mixed protocols using blended green manure, with or without the addition of farm manure, to satisfy the nitrogen requirements of a silage corn rotation crop.
Researcher: Christine Landry
Measuring the impact of winter vs. spring cereals on profitability, soil health, and pesticide use
Ten test sites will operate over a two-year period on farms spread over ten Québec regions to compare the performance of winter and spring cereals.
Researchers: Marc-Olivier Gasser Caroline Côté Luc Belzile
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