Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

The Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

The Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre (ACCCRC) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) national network of 19 research centres. The centre is located in St. John's, the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador and is recognized as a center of excellence among the province's agricultural communities. In 1829 the land now occupied by the research centre became one of the first 500 acre agricultural grants made by the governor of the time as a means of stimulating large scale agricultural production in the colony.

Though the ACCCRC is the smallest of AAFC's research centres, it plays a vital role in the development of agriculture for the Region. Over the past 7 decades staff at the centre have developed and introduced 8 commercially-important potato cultivars, which remain important to production on the Island.

The centre undertakes research in two areas:

  • Primary Production Agriculture with a focus on berries suitable for production in the boreal ecosystem, and on forage, and cereal crops that support the regional dairy value chain;
  • Environmental stewardship through the improved performance of the agricultural production systems in the fragile boreal environment.

Areas of Research

The Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre (ACCCRC) lies within, and has a research focus on, crops and cropping systems that are applicable to the boreal ecosystem (sometimes referred to as the Boreal Shield). Agricultural practices in this unique zone differ from those in the conventional agricultural areas of Canada because of the cool summer temperatures (an average of only 13°C). The boreal zone includes a range of other agro-climatic zones, from the Maritime climate of Newfoundland and Labrador to the humid regions of the southern Prairies. However the high latitude, stony soils and cool summers of Newfoundland and Labrador place the ACCCRC in a unique position to lead research with a northern, boreal focus.

The ACCCRC leads development of agriculture technology supporting the growth of primary production in the boreal ecozone, with a special, emphasis on Newfoundland and Labrador.

The ACCCRC undertakes research in 2 domains consistent with the mission of the Centre:

Primary Production Agriculture (supporting the regional dairy value chain and horticultural activities)

ACCCRC is positioned to address key activities related to Priorities 4, 6 and 7 in AAFC's Science and Innovation Strategy. The Centre will play a lead role in production research on livestock feed crops suited to Newfoundland's soil and climate, forage production in support of the dairy value chain, and production systems for berry crops adapted to culture in the northern, boreal ecozone.

Environmental stewardship (improved performance of the agricultural production system)

ACCCRC plays a key role in Newfoundland in scientific research to ensure sustainable agriculture in sensitive environments. The Centre leads in research to develop best management practices in the use of liquid dairy manure as a nutrient source on thin, stony soils and a limited land base. ACCCRC works to ensure agricultural production systems will remain environmentally sound. STB has specific expertise working to achieve our environmental objectives (one engineer at ACCCRC) in the area of soil and water, and in the area of crop fertility and production systems (two RES). ACCCRC will use this expertise in developing best management practices for farms and primary production systems in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Facts, Figures and Facilities

  • 5 research scientists and a total staff of 37
  • 61 hectares at the headquarters site and 14 hectares at the Avondale field research location
  • Climate-controlled growth chambers, greenhouses and crop drying facilities
  • Soil and analytical chemistry lab
  • Micropropagation lab and molecular biology lab
  • Entomology lab
  • Co-located at the Centre are:
    • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Regional Office
    • Provincial (NL) Department of Natural Resources - Agrifoods Branch and Department of Environment and Conservation - Wildlife Division
    • NL Federation of Agriculture
    • NL Horticulture Producers Council
    • Chicken Farmers

Contact Us

308 Brookfield Road, BLDG 25
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
A1E 0B2
Tel.: 709-772-7474
Fax: 709-772-6064

Director of Operations: Sandy Todd
Tel.: 709-772-4606
Fax: 709-772-3820
Email: sandy.todd@agr.gc.ca

Director of Research and Development: Felicitas Katepa-Mupondwa
Tel.: 902-370-4526
Fax: 902-566-6821
E-mail: felicitas.katepa-mupondwa@agr.gc.ca