Research Station
The Department of Agriculture in 1915 established the Research Centre, thanks, in part, to the horticultural work previously done by pioneer A.P. Stevenson. It was originally started as an experimental farm to conduct research and demonstrate to farmers better methods of growing their crops and the use of trees and shrubs to beautify and protect their land. The location was selected because of our long growing season, notably the greatest number of frost free days on the prairies.
The Morden Research Centre specializes in developing improved varieties, production and protection practices to enhance the marketability of ornamentals, flax, field peas and beans for the prairie region.
The Centre is one of 18 establishments in Canada directed by the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It comprises a land base of 254 hectares, a 5,100 m2 office and laboratory complex opened in 1989, and a staff of twenty-six A-base funded personnel.
The Centre has a state-of-the-art quarantine flax rust laboratory and a large Arboretum containing more than 3,000 different woody ornamentals on 26 hectares. The Centre's scientists and biologists are trained and experienced in plant breeding, plant pathology, plant physiology, and agronomy.
The Morden Research Centre conducts the largest linseed oil flax-breeding program in North America. The Canadian prairie field pea research network is also co-ordinated at the Centre. The Pulse Crop program focuses on development of both field peas and dry edible beans for the domestic and export marketplace. many varieties of flax, sunflower, buckwheat, field pea and field corn developed at Morden have become industry standards used in domestic and international markets.
Research efforts also include developing complete packages of improved technology for crops that include suitable management practices. There is a wide variety of specialty plant materials and a large and diverse collection of winter-hardy woody and herbaceous landscape plants. The Arboretum serves as a regional evaluation centre for the prairies, a centre for taxonomic research, and a gene pool for the improvement of hardy shrubs and trees. Methods of propagation, by seed, vegetative means, and tissue culture, are studied.
Morden researchers maintain scientific, technical and germplasm exchanges with private, government and university colleagues worldwide. The Centre has a variety of collaborative agreements with industry partners including the development of superior propagation systems for roses, the development of Linola in Canada, buckwheat germplasm, and horseradish for the production of the enzyme peroxidase.
Aside from research, the Morden Research Centre also offers a scenic retreat for picnics, pictures, or a leisurely walk through the various plantations. Optimum visiting time is May through September. Guided tours of the grounds or buildings are available for large groups only and with prior arrangements made by contacting the Centre at (204) 822-4471.