Agassiz Research and Development Centre

  • Cows
  • Fruit Basket
  • Forage
  • Vegetables

 

The Agassiz Research and Development Centre (Agassiz RDC) located in Agassiz, British Columbia was established in 1886 by the Government of Canada under The Experimental Farm Station Act. It is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres.

The Centre is associated with one satellite location:

  • Clearbrook sub-station in Abbotsford, BC

Areas of Research

Agassiz RDC is the lead centre in Canada for integrated research on peri-urban agriculture. Research focuses on developing intensive yet sustainable horticultural and forage management systems that are integrated within a peri-urban environment. The centre focuses its research activities in the following four broad strategic areas: soil health management, innovative crop production systems, integrated pest management and biodiversity enhancement.

Agassiz RDC is one of seven sites where field trials dealing with the testing of sustainable pest management tools and technologies are conducted for AAFC’s Minor Use Pesticide Program.

Search Research projects from the Agassiz Research and Development Centre to learn more about what we do.  

Sector Needs

The Agassiz RDC carries out innovative research, development, technology and knowledge transfer activities in support of the AAFC's Strategic Plan for Science, which includes:

Research focuses on precise and sustainable management of nutrients from manures, municipal wastes and mineral sources to optimize production while mitigating the environmental impacts of horticultural and forage cropping systems. Use of multi-level strategies at the field, farm and regional scales help to resolve the depletion and contamination of/by agricultural nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

  • Biodiversity and bioresources

Intensive surveying and a detailed understanding of biodiversity are aiding the development of biological control approaches for insect pests in horticulture crops (small fruits and vegetables).

  • Forages and beef / Dairy, pork, poultry and other livestock

Research has led to a reduction in inputs and increased efficiency of intensive forage production for the dairy industry. This includes improving manure management in corn and grass forage for the dairy sector; reducing greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, improving nutrient management, and efficient use of natural resources for dairy, swine, poultry and other livestock operations.

Research is improving crop production and lowering environmental impacts for small fruits, vegetables and novel crops to meet growing market demands for fresh produce. Integrated pest management strategies (insects, diseases and weeds) and minor use products are developed for horticulture crops (small fruits, vegetables, and high value specialty crops).

Meet our Scientists

Find out more about the scientists at Agassiz Research and Development Centre through their profiles below.

You can also visit the Fields of Science campaign featuring 11 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists from coast to coast. Discover why they chose to pursue a career in agriculture and learn more about their research.

6947 Highway 7
PO Box 1000
Agassiz, BC V0M 1A2
Canada
(604) 796-6100

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Scientists and researchers

Image Aimé J. Messiga
Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Image Ben W. Thomas
Research Scientist – Agroecology
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Image Charitha Jayasinghege
Research Scientist – Crop/Plant Physiology
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Image JICHUL BAE
Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Image Louise Rachel Taillefer
Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Image Rhiannon Wallace
Research Scientist, Food and Environmental Microbiology
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Image Gary Telford
Knowledge Transfer Specialist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Biologist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Image Paul K. Abram
Research Scientist, Biological Control of Insect Pests
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Image Rishi R. Burlakoti
Research Scientist-Plant Pathology
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

Publications

  1. Franklin, M.T., Weiss, R., Bouchard, P., Uriel, Y., Hann. S., & M. Vankosky. 2023. Improving the search: using climate analysis to guide surveillance to delimit the range of the invasive strawberry blossom weevil. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. October 15-18, 2023.

    2024 - View publication details

  2. Furtado, K., van Herk, W., & M.T. Franklin. 2024. Development of new species specific wireworm identification tools to support field-based pest management decisions in Canada. Professional Pest Management Association of British Columbia Annual Meeting. Langley, British Columbia, Canada, March 1, 2024.

    2024 - View publication details

  3. McPherson, J., Uriel, Y., Mattsson, J., Kannangara, S., Furtado, K., Zdanowicz, G., Dossett, M., Brunet, B., & M. Franklin. Detection of aphid-transmitted plant viruses in highbush blueberry in British Columbia. Professional Pest Management of British Columbia Annual Meeting. Langley, British Columbia, Canada. March 1, 2024.

    2024 - View publication details

  4. P. K. Abram (2024). Keeping importation biological control as part of the invasive species management toolbox . Invasive Species Council of BC Annual Meeting (INVASIVES 2024), New Westminster, BC, February 28, 2024 (oral presentation).

    2024 - View publication details

  5. Moffat, C.E. et al. 2024. Federal update on current targets for biological control in British Columbia. Invasives 2024 ISCBC Annual Forum and AGM New Westminster 2024/02/26 - 2024/02/29.

    2024 - View publication details

  6. Franklin, M.T., Uriel, Y., McPherson, J., & B. Brunet. 2024. What's new! Development of aphid virus detection tools and updates on cultivar susceptibility screening. 6th BC Berries Research Review - Recapping the 2018-2023 and looking ahead to 2024-2028. Virtual Meeting, Feb 23, 2024.

    2024 - View publication details

  7. Brunet, B.M.T., Bosnich, D., Duwal, R., & M. Franklin. 2024. Species complexes and taxonomic uncertainty: defining the limits of the aphid, Ericaphis fimbriata. 6th BC Berries Research Review, February 23, 2024.

    2024 - View publication details

  8. P.K. Abram, M. Franklin, T. Hueppelsheuser, and J. Carrillo (2024). Update on parasitic wasps attacking spotted wing Drosophila larvae in BC. BC Berries Research Review, February 23, 2024 (virtual oral extension presentation).

    2024 - View publication details

  9. T. Hueppelsheuser and P.K. Abram (2024). Emerging pests and biocontrol agents in light of climate change. Centre for Organizational Governance in Agriculture, BC Council of Marketing Boards. February 15, 2024 (invited virtual oral extension presentation).

    2024 - View publication details

  10. P.K. Abram (2023). Biological control as a key component of sustainable pest management systems: successes and complexity. University of British Columbia, Insects in Agroecosystems course, February 13, 2024 (invited course lecture).

    2024 - View publication details