About

The Aberdeen Research and Extension Center is located in Aberdeen and is operated by the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences through the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. The center focuses on research in plant breeding and crop production.

U of I faculty conduct research on a variety of topics including:

• Irrigated and dryland wheat variety development
• Potato variety development
• Potato disease
• Weed and insect management systems
• Potato and small grain irrigation and nutrient management
• Improved cultural practices for all major crops grown in the area
• Discovery and development of native plants for the horticulture industry

The center includes two office buildings, fully equipped laboratories for small grains (cereal) and potato research, 10 greenhouses, three potato storage units, two graduate student housing units and various other minor structures.

The center conducts several field days annually and faculty also participate in winter commodity conferences and trainings. The purpose of these activities is to present information to producers and associated agribusiness professionals on cultivar performance, improved crop and pest management practices and marketing.

History

The center was established in 1911 to serve irrigated and dryland agriculture in eastern and southern Idaho. Funds used to purchase the property were raised by the local community and the university leased the land comprised of 80 acres, 16 of which were irrigated.

The Regents of the University of Idaho purchased the land in 1925 and added additional acres resulting in the current 440 acres, 360 of which are used for irrigated crop research.

In 1988, the USDA Agricultural Research Service constructed the 32,000 square foot National Small Grains Germplasm Facility at the Aberdeen R&E Center to provide storage for the National Small Grains Collection and fully equipped lab space for small grains research.