Lacombe Research and Development Centre
The Lacombe Research and Development Centre (Lacombe RDC) was established in 1907 in Lacombe, Alberta. 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: Beaverlodge Research Farm.
Areas of Research
The Lacombe RDC conducts research on two major strategic activities, related to livestock and meat production, and to crop sciences.
Research on livestock and meat production aims to enhance the economic stability and reduce the environmental impact of Livestock production systems and to support the Canadian fresh meat processing sector in supplying safe, high quality fresh meat with good storage life, mostly beef and pork.
Research in crop sciences includes plant breeding (field pea and oats), integrated crop protection (weed science and pathology), and the development of best agronomic practices.
In addition, the Beaverlodge Research Farm is host of AAFC’s national honey bee research program, with an emphasis on bee health.
Search Research projects from the Lacombe Research and Development Centre to learn more about what we do.
Sector Needs
The Lacombe RDC carries out innovative research, development, technology and knowledge transfer activities in support of the AAFC's Strategic Plan for Science, which include:
Livestock research is improving the economic stability of beef production by reducing the cost of overwintering beef cows, increasing the value, yield and quality of pasture and forage resources while lowering production costs. Best management practices are evaluated in the field for their impact on livestock production as well as soil and water resources. Genomic and phenomic information are used to develop animal selection tools and carcass grading prediction tools for several species. As part of Other Livestock, the apiculture (honey bee) program in Beaverlodge focuses on detection and management of bee diseases and pests.
Integrated meat science focuses on developing sustainable meat production systems in Canada, research on meat production, quality, preservation, and safety, with an emphasis on enhancing the microbiological safety and storage stability of meat.
Scientists are evaluating canola, cereal and field pea breeding lines and germplasm with improved disease resistance, adapted to the Northern and Parkland short-season environments of Western Canada. Agro-ecosystem research includes watershed and landscape assessment and management planning. Northern and Parkland agriculture focuses on integrated field crop, forage, weed, plant disease, insect pest management strategies, and field pea breeding.
Meet our Scientists
Find out more about the scientists at Lacombe 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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Habtewold, JZ and Goyal, RK. The plant-rhizobial symbiotic interactions provide benefits to the host beyond nitrogen fixation that promote plant growth and productivity. In: Everlon Rigobelo, Editor. Symbiosis in Nature. InTech Open Access; 2023. Pages 1-25
2023 - View publication details
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Goyal, R. K.; Kommadath, A.; Ranches, J. and Hannig, A. (2023). The characterization of the AP2/ERF gene family in Pisum sativum, and the expression profiles of some family members reveal their role in plant development. Joint Canadian Society of Plant Biologists Western Regional Meeting and
2023 - View publication details
UVic Forest Biology Symposium, 2023, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada, May 1-2, 2023
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Tidemann BD, Sharpe S, Geddes CM (2023) Curious and Concerning False Cleavers (Galium spurium) response to Quinclorac. Western Society of Weed Science Annual Meeting, Boise, Idaho. Feb 27 - March 2, 2023. Poster # 36
2023 - View publication details
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Turkington, T.K. 2023. Western Co-operative 2-row malting barley test disease reaction report for the Disease Evaluation Team, Prairie Recommending Committee for Oat and Barley (PRCOB), Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC), February 28-March 2, 2023.
2023 - View publication details
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Turkington, T.K. 2023. Western Co-operative Prairie Eastern Barley Disease Cooperative Trial disease reaction report for the Disease Evaluation Team, Prairie Recommending Committee for Oat and Barley (PRCOB), Prairie Grain Development Committee (PGDC), February 28-March 12, 2023.
2023 - View publication details
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Khanal, N., Azooz, R., Lupwayi N., Otani, J., and Yoder, C. (2022) Integrating perennial forage seed crops in the cropping systems in western Canada: An agroecological and economic assessment. Oral presentation in the 3rd NAPA Biennial Scientific Conference held on site (in Atlanta, GA) and virtual hybrid mode on May 27-29, 2022.
2023 - View publication details
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Pandey, B., Khanal, N., Rahman, N., and Bork, E. (2023) Effect of plant growth regulators on physiological and agronomic characteristics of grass seed crops in western Canada. Oral presentation in the 3rd NAPA Biennial Scientific Conference held on site (in Atlanta, GA) and virtual hybrid mode on May 27-29, 2022
2023 - View publication details
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Khanal, N., Rahman, N., Yoder, C. and Gauthier, T. (2022) Integrating genetic, agronomic & economic approach to improving environmental adaptability & end use quality of creeping red fescue, 2018-2022. Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance, Annual Research Webinar, February 22, 2023
2023 - View publication details
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Bertrand, A. 2023. Évaluation au champ de populations de luzerne tolérantes au gel sélectionnées pour un niveau de dormance moins élevé. Journée d'information scientifique sur les bovins laitiers et les plantes fourragères. 8 février 2023, Drummondville, QC. CRAAQ [présentation orale]
2023 - View publication details
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Yang, Xianqin, Hui Wang, Scott Hrycauk, Devin B. Holman, and Tim C. Ells. 2023. "Microbial Dynamics in Mixed-Culture Biofilms of Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Bacteria Surviving Sanitation of Conveyor Belts of Meat Processing Plants" Microorganisms 11, no. 2: 421. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020421
2023 - View publication details
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