In the 1970s and 1980s, under the leadership of Professor McKyes, the department embraced technological innovation and expanded its international presence. Departmental faculty and staff, and student numbers grew significantly at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Professor McKyes led an extensive research program in soil mechanics, soil tillage and soil compaction. He garnered large sums of research money through extensive contracts and grants. He built a large-scale experimental soil bin in the basement of the Barton building that was fully instrumented. He housed state of the art soil mechanics teaching and research equipment in his lab. Professor McKyes was well liked by the students for his excellent teaching of soil mechanics courses.
Faculty members such as Professor Robert Kok (computer systems) and Professor G.S.V. Raghavan (post-harvest technology and energy conservation) led groundbreaking research. Professor Shiv Prasher focused on water management in the Ottawa-St. Lawrence lowlands, and Professor Chandra Madramootoo advanced work in irrigation and drainage, and soil conservation. Professor Kok took a lead in the teaching of computer science in the department and faculty. His expertise in Fortran computer programming, and linear programming was highly regarded and appreciated by staff and students alike. He was responsible for the IBM computer mainframe in the faculty, and the wide-scale introduction of personal computers and various engineering software in the department and faculty.
In 1985, Dr. Suzanne Barrington became the first woman in Canada to earn a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering. Her research addressed ventilation, greenhouse systems, and grain storage.
A Centre for Drainage Studies was launched in 1987 in partnership with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, with Professors Broughton and McKyes in leadership roles. The Centre drew students and collaborators from across the globe. Professor Madramootoo was named Director of the Centre, when Professor Broughton retired. The Centre was merged with the Brace Research Institute in 2000, and Professor Madramootoo was appointed the Founding Director of the Brace Centre for Water Resources Management.