Räuschling Clone Breeding: Expansion of Genetic Diversity by Four New Clones
Food Side-Streams as an Underestimated Resource – a Literature Review
New Direct Payment Scheme for Regional Biodiversity and Landscape Quality
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Räuschling Clone Breeding: Expansion of Genetic Diversity by Four New Clones
Thanks to the selection of new clones, the ‘Räuschling’ grape variety has become more consistent in terms of cultivation and wine quality. Multi-year trials have shown that four new clones stabilise yield and quality and reduce the risk of both berry splitting and Botrytis (grey mould) infestation.
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Food Side-Streams as an Underestimated Resource – a Literature Review
Along the food value chain, sizeable, hitherto-little-used side streams continue to accumulate. An Agroscope literature study shows that key questions on use and industrial valorisation remain unresolved.
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New Direct Payment Scheme for Regional Biodiversity and Landscape Quality
The agglomeration bonus payments and the landscape quality payments are to be merged into a new payment scheme for regional biodiversity and landscape quality. This study evaluates the planned merger from the perspective of agricultural policy literature.
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Agroscope, University of Zurich
Plant-Plant Interactions Can Have a Positive Impact on Cropping Systems
Plant-plant interactions can contribute to yield security and resilience. The significance of these interactions in agriculture is contentious, not least of all because the mechanisms are largely unclear. This study summarises the current state of knowledge.
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Carbon Footprints in Agriculture: Findings from Applied Research
Greenhouse gas accounting tools are important for quantifying reduction potentials and performance. Agroscope researchers conducted a review to analyse their potential applications. Considerable experience is needed to correctly interpret the results.
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Agroscope, BFH-HAFL, Agridea, FOAG, barto AG, Swiss Farmer’s Union SFU, Centre for Viticulture Wädenswil, Robert Aebi AG, fenaco
The Digital Transformation of the Swiss Agrifood Sector
This article describes how digitalisation in the Swiss agricultural sector has evolved from 2018 to the present day. It also outlines the measures required for successful digitalisation.
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Soil Organic Matter Content: Is There A Need to Update The Interpretation for Agricultural soils?
Incorporating the SOM:clay ratio in the Principles of Agricultural Crop Fertilisation in Switzerland (PRIF) allows us to give more specific agronomic advice at each site based on a broader considera-tion of soil quality.
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Plant Diversity to Cope with Increased Drought Risk in Grasslands
Plant species diversity in intensively managed grasslands can act like a natural insurance against drought risk by reducing production variability. This reduction persists even at increased drought risks.
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The Significance of the Agricultural Policy Goals for the Swiss Population
This article summarises all papers published by Agroscope and ETH that deal with the perception of agricultural policy of both farmers and the rest of the population. It highlights what must be borne in mind when developing policy measures so as to achieve broad acceptance of an integrated agricultural and food policy. An effective agricultural
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Capillary Effect Confirmed: Why Hay Particles Are Key for Eye Formation in Emmentaler Cheese
Ten years ago, Agroscope showed that eye formation in cheese is promoted by tiny hay particles whose capillaries serve as starting points for cheese eyes. Researchers have now confirmed the crucial role played by the capillary effect.
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How the Alpine Farming Sector and Individual Alps Can Promote Worker Loyalty
Swiss summer farms lack qualified and experienced staff, partly because workers are spending fewer summers on the alps. The shortage of staff and loss of experience can have a negative impact on the sustainable management of the alpine pastures.
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Agroscope, Vereinigung Walliser Roggenbrot, Walliser Roggenbrot PDO-PGI
Valais Rye Bread AOP Proves Impressively Diverse
The Valais rye bread AOP project is a project-specific field study with a clearly defined, geographic and legal context (AOP/PDO). The aim is to describe the authenticity and quality of this traditional sourdough.
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How Profitable Is Swiss Goat Milk Production?
Goats may be appealing, but very few goat farmers can make money from them. Dairy goats become economically viable only when annual milk production reaches at least 100 tonnes, which equates to around 120 to 180 dairy goats, depending on yield.
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Agroscope, Università di Siena, National Biodiversity Future Center Palermo
Japanese Beetles in Switzerland Have Italian and North American Roots
Genome analysis shows that Japanese beetle populations in Switzerland have different origins. This indicates several entry and dispersal routes – knowledge that can help develop targeted prevention and containment measures.
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Resistant Grape Varieties: Raising Awareness of Promising Wines
Wines produced from resistant grape varieties are in the ascendant in Swizerland. Consumers are showing that they are open to them. The market penetration of these wines, especially in the catering sector, could be improved through better communication.
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Quantifying Food Waste: Focus on Vegetable Production
Food waste in primary production is rarely recorded – yet this data is key to devising effective reduction strategies throughout the entire value-added chain. This analysis evaluates existing measurement methods with the focus on vegetables. Around 37% of edible food is wasted every year in Switzerland. To address this issue, the Federal Council adopted the
