Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
The Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station (IAES) is the research division of University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
The Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station (IAES) is the research division of University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The station operates 10 agricultural research and Extension centers across the state. Every day, our scientists, researchers and supporting personnel work with producers, businesses and communities to find solutions to issues that impact our state directly.
IAES conducts a variety of research to support Idaho’s agricultural industry and economy. Research is also coordinated with scientists at other universities across the nation and at USDA Agricultural Research Service locations in Idaho and the northwest.
IAES was established in 1892 under the Hatch Act of 1887 to conduct fundamental and applied research to solve problems and meet the needs in Idaho’s agriculture, natural resources, youth and family related areas. We continue to meet those needs for a changing world.
Knowledge gained through IAES is taught to University of Idaho students in the classroom and in the field and shared with stakeholders through a variety of channels. Research findings are also brought to local Idaho communities through University of Idaho Extension.
CALS research faculty are working on issues critical to the state of Idaho, the region and the nation. In addition to the 10 research and Extension centers, research is also conducted at affiliated centers — the Aquaculture Research Institute, Food Technology Center, Rinker Rock Creek Ranch, Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center and the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station.
UI Extension publications
View peer-reviewed, research-based educational materials produced by U of I experts.
Research programs
Our research focuses on improving agricultural practices, developing new and valuable crop varieties, protecting animals and crops from pests and diseases, and helping Idaho's economy grow.
Brassica
The Brassica breeding program at the University of Idaho conducts ongoing research for alternative crop use and other reasons within the Pacific Northwest dryland (no irrigation) farming.
Nutrition and Women’s Health
The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Nutrition and Women’s Health will focus on building capacity in the area of nutrition and women’s health.
Potatoes
U of I researchers are working on issues such as potato storage physiology and management, plant and soil health, water utilization, variety development and nutrition.
Potato Virus Initiative
This initiative aims to develop management strategies and decision aids for potato mop top virus and potato virus Y.
Food Production Systems
Learn more about research and Extension efforts related to a variety of crops and animals.
Services
The Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station provides many different services including seed potato germplasm, analytical services, plant diagnostic testing, foundation seed, food manufacturing and more.
Analytical Sciences Laboratory
University of Idaho Analytical Sciences Laboratory is a full-service laboratory that provides analytical services in environmental monitoring, plant chemical, soil chemical and physical, veterinary diagnostic toxicology and water quality.
Seed Potato Germplasm Laboratory
The U of I Seed Potato Germplasm Program works to establish, maintain and distribute disease free germplasm and mini-tubers for domestic and international seed potato growers and researchers.
Food Manufacturing
The food manufacturing team provides a broad range of services to Idaho’s food manufacturing industry.
Food Technology Center
The U of I Food Technology Center offers assistance to Idahoans interested in producing packaged food products for resale. The facility includes a commercial kitchen and specialized equipment.
Foundation Seed
The Foundation Seed Program maintains approximately 120 varieties of wheat, barley, oats, beans, potatoes, peas, chickpeas, lentils, rapeseed, grasses, forbs and forage legumes.
Plant Diagnostic Services
University of Idaho offers diagnostic services for plants, offering a range of diagnostic tests from culturing to molecular diagnostics.
Water Resources
The water resources group at University of Idaho's Kimberly Research and Extension Center is a national leader on consumption of water by irrigated agriculture and natural systems. The group has developed the METRIC platform for transforming satellite imagery into maps of water consumption and the REF-ET and ETIdaho systems for calculating reference crop ET and for reporting crop water requirements for the State of Idaho.
Tapestry
Tapestry is a transparent, open-access array of in-situ data, analysis protocols and analytic services that enables researchers, Extension professionals and policy makers to investigate interregional, intertemporal and intersectoral relationships at county-level regional economies of the United States.
UI Extension publications
View peer-reviewed, research-based educational materials produced by U of I experts.
Research and Extension centers
The Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station operates 10 research and Extension centers and five affiliate centers located across the state.
Affiliated centers
In addition to the 10 research and Extension centers, CALS faculty also conduct work at five affiliated centers.
Aquaculture Research Institute
The Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) conducts basic and applied research, supports undergraduate and graduate student education and research and is engaged in outreach activities in aquaculture, including food production, fisheries enhancement and fisheries stock restoration.
Food Technology Center
University of Idaho Food Technology Center offers processing and educational assistance to aspiring food entrepreneurs that wish to produce packaged food products for resale.
Rinker Rock Creek Ranch
Rinker Rock Creek Ranch is a unique research, education and outreach facility that offers a hands-on approach to rangeland management and conservation. The working ranch doubles as a living laboratory where science-based practices for land managers are developed.
Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center
The Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center (SOAC), located in Bonner County, is one of two USDA Certified Organic programs in University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). The center includes an organic fruit orchard, meeting facilities, dormitories for visiting faculty and students, a shop and cider house.
U.S. Sheep Experiment Station
The mission of the USDA, ARS, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research Unit, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station is to develop integrated methods for increasing production efficiency of sheep and to simultaneously improve the sustainability of rangeland ecosystems
Upcoming events
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Nondiscrimination Policy
University of Idaho has a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), national origin (ancestry), sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, disability, marital status, genetic information, or status as any protected veteran or military status. This policy applies to all programs, services and facilities, and includes, but is not limited to, applications, admissions, access to programs and services, and employment and advancement. Learn more about our civil rights compliance and how to file a complaint.