Lethbridge Research and Development Centre
The Lethbridge Research and Development Centre (Lethbridge RDC) was established in 1906 in Lethbridge, Alberta. It is one the largest facilities within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres.
The Centre is associated with one satellite location: Vauxhall Research Farm.
Areas of Research
The Lethbridge RDC leads research on beef cattle production systems (health and welfare, food safety, microbiology); crop production (agronomy, breeding, genetics, pathology) and sustainable production systems under dryland and irrigated conditions associated with farming in a semi-arid climate.
Research activities focus on supporting the long-term competitiveness of the sector while reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural practices and maintaining the health and productivity of the agro-ecosystem.
Search Research projects from the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre to learn more about what we do.
Sector Needs
The Lethbridge RDC carries out innovative research, development, technology and knowledge transfer activities in support of the AAFC's Strategic Plan for Science, which includes:
Lethbridge RDC has a national mandate for research on feedlot finishing of beef cattle, with a focus on enhancing productivity, reducing adverse environmental impacts, addressing concerns regarding food safety (with a production focus), including antibiotic resistance, animal health and welfare, and mitigating disease threats and their vectors.
Lethbridge RDC’s germplasm and rumen microbe collections support research programs by providing a long-term repository of microbial diversity. The world-class collection includes anaerobic rumen fungi, a broad representation of rumen bacteria including those that are prominent in fibre digestion, and plant-associated fungi and bacteria (pathogenic and non-pathogenic isolates).
New varieties (potatoes, beans, wheat, triticale, rye and forages), sustainable crop production and protection technologies are developed for crops on dry and irrigated lands, adapted to the Canadian prairies. Discovery type science and innovation are conducted using novel technologies, such as remote sensing and imaging technologies, plant biotechnologies and increasing the integration with biological science, breeding, agronomy and farming.
Lethbridge RDC’s research includes nutrient cycling associated with cropping and livestock production; monitoring crop and environmental health using remote sensing and imaging technologies; and ecological modeling to understand the impact of various management practices at the farm level on the local environment.
Meet our Scientists
Find out more about the scientists at Lethbridge 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.
More information
Scientists and researchers
Publications
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Mason, P.G., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., Catton, H., and Gallant, B. 2024. Regulation of Biological Control Organisms in Canada. In: Vankosky, M.A. and Martel, V. (eds.) Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2013-2023. CAB International Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon, United Kingdom. (in press).
2024 - View publication details
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Geddes, C.M.* 2024. Keynote address: Resistance management/survey update. Federated Co-operatives, Ltd. GrowActive Summit 2024. Saskatoon, SK. Mar 26-27, 2024. (Oral Presentation). Invited.
2024 - View publication details
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Geddes, C.M.* 2024. Herbicide resistance diagnostics: where do they fit and how can they help? Farming Smarter Pesticide Applicators Workshop. Virtual. Mar 21, 2024. (Oral Presentation). Invited.
2024 - View publication details
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Geddes, C.M.* 2024. Herbicide-resistant kochia. BarleyBin Live. Shaunavon, SK. Mar 13, 2024. (Oral Presentation/Discussion). Invited.
2024 - View publication details
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https://agbio.usask.ca/soilsncrops/
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Alexander, B.*, Geddes, C.M., Larney, F., Chau, H., Janzen, H., Curtis A., Shade, K., and Schwinghamer, T. 2024. Soil health being tricky: Estimating unbiased causal effects of soil organic carbon on yield is a subjective experience. Soils and Crops 2024. Mar 05-06, 2024. Saskatoon, SK, USA. (Oral Presentation).
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Alexander, B.C.S.*, Geddes, C.M., Chau, H.W., Ellert, B.H., and Janzen, H.H. 2024. Beyond P-values: Analysis of spring wheat yields for a long-term study from 1968-2013 focused on no-tillage at Lethbridge, AB. Soils and Crops 2024. Mar 05-06, 2024. Saskatoon, SK, CA. (Poster Presentation).
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TBD
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Geddes, C.M.* 2024. Herbicide resistant weeds in the prairies. Top Crop Summit 2024. Saskatoon, SK. Feb 27-28, 2024. (Oral Presentation). Invited.
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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
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