Agassiz Research and Development Centre

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:

• Agro-ecosystem resilience

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.

• Horticulture

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.