Quebec Research and Development Centre
The Quebec Research and Development Centre (Quebec RDC) located in Quebec City, Quebec was established in 1967. It is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres.
The Centre is associated with two satellite locations:
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Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures Research Farm, and
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Normandin Research Farm.
Areas of Research
The research carried out at the Quebec RDC aims to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability in a cold, humid climate and to improve environmental performance through the development of field crop systems that incorporate perennial forage species.
The environmental and production aspects of forage will be widely incorporated into the animal production component of the Sherbrooke Research Centre, with a focus on developing integrated production systems with minimum environmental impact.
Search Research projects from the Quebec Research and Development Centre to learn more about what we do.
Sector Needs
The Quebec RDC carries out innovative research, development, technology and knowledge transfer activities in support of the AAFC's Strategic Plan for Science, which include:
Reducing environmental impacts, boosting productivity and enhancing the forages and dairy sector
- The Centre has a diverse forage expertise, which includes genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, pathology, ecophysiology, agronomy, microbiology, and nutritive value, as well as soil science.
- Expertise focused on soil management, soil-plant-air interaction, precision farming, agri-meteorology, water management, and modelling.
Reducing environmental impacts, boosting productivity, improving crop sustainability and enhancing the Agro-ecosystem productivity and health sector
The Centre has strong agri-environmental expertise focused on soil, air and water quality, crop management and understanding of nutrient cycling, and use of livestock effluent and organic waste.
Meet our Scientists
Find out more about the scientists at Quebec 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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Seguin, P., Shi, X., Saguez, J., et Claessens, A. 2023. L’incidence de la cicadelle de la pomme de terre dans les luzernières. Chronique CQPF, La Terre de Chez-Nous, 25 septembre 2023.
2023 - View publication details
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Thivierge, M.-N., Bélanger, G., Jégo, G., Delmotte, S. et Charbonneau, É. 2023. Vers des systèmes fourragers résilients et adaptés aux changements climatiques. Journée à foin : de la théorie à la pratique, Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères (CQPF), Coaticook, QC, 19 septembre 2023. Présentation orale.
2023 - View publication details
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Thivierge, M.-N., Samson, M.-É. et Bossé, C. 2023. Importance des plantes fourragères pérennes dans la résilience des systèmes de culture. Journée grandes cultures et plantes fourragères biologiques (MAPAQ et ITAQ), La Pocatière, QC, 14 septembre 2023.
2023 - View publication details
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Bertrand, A., Claessens, A., Baron, V., Thériault, M., Rocher, S., Asselin. S. 2023. Evaluation of alfalfa populations selected for reduced fall dormancy in a frequent cutting trial. 35th EUCARPIA FCAG Section Conference, September 10-14 2023, Brno, Czech Republic.
2023 - View publication details
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Claessens, A., Thériault, M., Bertrand, A., Lajeunesse, J., Rocher, S. 2023. Genetic selection for nonfiber carbohydrates in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stem. 35th EUCARPIA FCAG Section Conference, September 10-14 2023, Brno, Czech Republic.
2023 - View publication details
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Thivierge, M.-N., Pelletier, K., Houde, S., and Halde, C. 2023. Le monde fascinant des racines: un grand potentiel à exploiter. Journée Yamasol, La Visitation-de-Yamaska, QC, 8 septembre 2023. Présentation orale.
2023 - View publication details
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Thivierge, M.-N., Chantigny, M., Lafond, J., Maillard, É., Leewis, M.-C., Bertrand, N., Lachance, C., Duchesneau, R.-F., Khechine, M.T., Pelletier, K., Houde, S., Pelster, D., Halde, C., Charbonneau, É., Hassanat, F., Jégo, G., Angers, D.A., Bélanger, G., Tremblay, G., Vanasse, A., Samson, M.-É., and Royer, I. 2023. The PERMANENCE project: legacy effect of perennials and organic fertilizers in crop rotations for dairy farms. Hosting of a provincial team of MAPAQ farm advisors and visit to research plots, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC, September 1, 2023.
2023 - View publication details
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Binggeli, S., Charbonneau, É., Jégo, G., Crépeau, M., and Thivierge, M.-N. 2023. Les mélanges fléole-luzerne et les changements climatiques. Column in the weekly magazine La Terre de chez nous, July 24, 2023. https://www.laterre.ca/chroniques/chronique-cqpf/les-melanges-fleole-luzerne-et-les-changements-climatiques/
2023 - View publication details
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Lajeunesse, J., Thivierge M.-N., and Brophy, C. 2023. Forage crop research at the Normandin Experimental Farm: Evaluation of perennial forage leys comprising one to twelve plant species [in French]. Open Day at the Normandin Experimental Farm of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Normandin, Quebec, Canada. July 20, 2023.
2023 - View publication details
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Smith, W., Grant, B., Jing, Q., Qian, B., Jégo, G., Crépeau, M. 2023. Impacts of climate change on soybean yields and potential expansion in Canada. Modeling the Future of Food, 9th Global Workshop of the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project, June 26th-30th, 2023 Columbia University, New York, NY
2023 - View publication details
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