Valais rye bread AOP proves impressively diverse
How profitable is Swiss goat milk production?
Japanese Beetles in Switzerland Have Italian and North American Roots
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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
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Conserving Fodder Plants in situ: Challenges and Perspectives
The biodiversity of grassland areas is a precious resource that must be preserved. The evaluation of the in situ conservation programme by farmers and experts has led to recommendations for its improvement.
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Alternative Forage Plants as Catch Crops
Interest in drought-adapted alternative forage plants is growing. What is their potential as catch crops? A study by Agroscope highlights the advantages and limitations of a selection of these crops.
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Swiss Regional Nature Parks Promote Biodiversity Conservation Agri-Environment Schemes
Designation of regional nature parks in Switzerland significantly boosts the adoption of direct payment schemes aimed at promoting biodiversity conservation (agri-environment schemes, AES), particularly in regions with relatively more intensive farming and low prior uptake of such schemes. Although both regional nature parks and agri-environment schemes (AES) aim to conserve biodiversity, the interaction between these
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How Stable Will Future Crop Yields Be in Switzerland?
Stable yields in plant production are crucial for farm profitability and food security. Model simulations show that the yield stability of many summer crops could decline substantially due to climate change, while winter crops are significantly less affected.
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Agroscope, Unisanté, Canton de Vaud, Proconseil
Risk of Exposure to Dressed Seed is often Underestimated
A recent study shows that the risk of exposure during activities involving seeds treated with plant protection products is not always properly understood. Information provided to agricultural professionals should be improved.
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FiBL, University of Hohenheim, University of Basel
Duckweed: a Future Feed Ingredient for Closing Nitrogen Cycles?
Duckweed can efficiently produce protein-rich biomass on nutrient-rich waters, such as wastewater or liquid farmyard manure, while simultaneously binding nitrogen and phosphorus. This presents potential for modern circular economy systems.
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Agroscope, University of Turin
Targeted Grazing by Highland Cattle: Less Green Alder, More Plant Biodiversity
A recent Agroscope study highlights the potential of Highland cattle to control the spread of green alder and restore plant diversity on mountain pastures.
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Strategies for Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Losses
Imports from abroad were incorporated into Switzerland’s farm-gate-budget-based agricultural nutrient budget calculation to expand it into a food-system budget. This allows assessment of self-sufficiency, nutrient use and circularity to be assessed in addition to nutrient surpluses.
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Agroscope, TU Graz, University of Nevada, Reno
Avoiding Subsoil Compaction under No-Till
With the passage of time, crop yield losses can occur on no-till farmland. Researchers from Agroscope and the Universities of Graz and Nevada demonstrated how subsoil compaction can lead to yield losses.
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Agroscope, Delley seeds and plants Ltd, IP-SUISSE, Fresh Food & Beverage Group AG
Cultivar Mixtures Stabilise Wheat Baking Quality
An Agroscope study shows that breeding cultivar mixtures is an effective strategy for mitigating the effects of changing abiotic conditions and maintaining stable wheat quality.
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Consensus and Dissension with Respect to Agricultural Policy Goals
A study conducted by Agroscope and ETH Zurich surveyed the opinions of both farmers and the rest of the population with respect to agricultural policy goals, revealing both shared and divergent views.
