advancing innovation-based rural community economic development.
Our research team—including lead scientists, research assistants, instructors and
students—investigate practical solutions to real-world problems faced by farmers and
ranchers.
Students benefit through research that:
provides flexible and creative learning opportunities that increase student-led learning,
maximizes student engagement,
supports the modernization of the learning environment,
enhances high-quality supports and services for learners and faculty.
We focus on two areas of excellence: crops and livestock.
Since 2013, Lakeland College has been growing momentum in small-plot crop research.
Our Lakeland region has unique soil, cropping, and climate. Vermilion and surrounding
region represents just one of 22 crop insurance “risk areas” in the province, but
accounts for about 13% of rain-fed wheat production, 19% of rain-fed oat production,
and 17% of rain-fed canola production in Alberta. Crop research in our region is very
beneficial to western Canadian producers and the agriculture value chain.
Capacity
Lakeland College is a quality provider of small-plot research. Our full-time research
scientist, and dedicated research equipment & infrastructure enable the success of
research in our area. Key investments include, a dedicated research tractor, plot
combine, seed drill, and small-plot sprayers.
Why small-plot research?
Small-plot research is an important method required to develop improved agronomic
practices, test cultivar genetic performance, and provide extension opportunities
for students and crop producers in the region. The small-plot format is the provincial
standard for agronomic and genetic research and it allows a large number of treatments
to be compared in controlled field conditions.
Agriculture is a multibillion dollar global industry that is facing explosive demand
for food production.
Innovative new farming technologies are creating opportunities to advance productivity.
The livestock research unit works with producers, industry stakeholders, and other
research organizations to determine which research trials will be most beneficial
to the industry.
Capacity
Lakeland College's state-of-the-art livestock facilities, and full-time livestock
research scientist enable the college to be a trusted livestock research partner.
Key investments include, dedicated research cattle, available pasture land, GrowSafe
systems, SmartFeed, and cattle handling equipment.