In this project, initiated by Agrinova, IRDA will analyze the profitability of techniques used to repel pasture flies in organic dairy production. Agrinova’s initial project seeks to develop a fly control method that utilizes hydrolats, a by-product of processed essential oils from the region. IRDA's economic analysis will help determine the hydrolat that is most effective in reducing the fly populations that disturb grazing cows. If the selected hydrolats have a known market value, IRDA will assess the costs and revenues associated with each strategy, which include the following: no pest control; insecticide applications; sunflower and water use; and the use of two types of hydrolats. On the other hand, if the market value is unknown, our analysis will determine a selling price that is optimal for the hydrolat supplier and dairy producer alike.
From 2019 to 2021
Project duration
Livestock production
Activity areas
Pest, weed, and disease control
Service
IRDA's economic analyses help producers evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternative pest control methods, among other things.
Agrinova
Cow-calf farms tend to prefer outdoor breeding, poor-quality drinking water can have a direct impact on animal health, and may lead to higher pathogen levels in the environment and at slaughter time, and negative consequences for food safety.
Researchers: Caroline Côté Stéphane Godbout
Assessing an electrostatic precipitator system designed to improve air quality and, thereby, worker health and animal welfare.
Researcher: Stéphane Godbout
The aim of this project is to show that efforts made to better distribute phosphorus on the land are effective and that the indicators used to determine phosphorus saturation thresholds are correlated with soil phosphorus balance and dynamics.
Researcher: Marc-Olivier Gasser