What Effect Does Sorghum-based Feeding Have on Cheese Quality?
Climate change is compelling producers to find alternatives to the usual fodders. Sorghum is one alternative. When used in dairy-cattle feed, how does it affect the quality of hard cheeses?
Alternative Products for Meat and Dairy: Better for Health and the Environment?
In recent years, plant-based foods have come on the market as alternatives to products of animal origin. Their aim: to positively influence sustainability and health. However, do they really do this? A study conducted by Agroscope and the University of Bern examined the issue.
Do Permanent Grasslands Contribute to Climate Protection?
Do soils under meadows and pastures in Switzerland take up more carbon than they release, thus contributing to climate protection? According to a new study from Agroscope, they currently do not. Measures to promote carbon storage do, however, exist.
What Effect Does Sorghum-based Feeding Have on Cheese Quality?
Climate change is compelling producers to find alternatives to the usual fodders. Sorghum is one alternative. When used in dairy-cattle feed, how does it affect the quality of hard cheeses?
Alternative Products for Meat and Dairy: Better for Health and the Environment?
In recent years, plant-based foods have come on the market as alternatives to products of animal origin. Their aim: to positively influence sustainability and health. However, do they really do this? A study conducted by Agroscope and the University of Bern examined the issue.
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Do Permanent Grasslands Contribute to Climate Protection?
Do soils under meadows and pastures in Switzerland take up more carbon than they release, thus contributing to climate protection? According to a new study from Agroscope, they currently do not. Measures to promote carbon storage do, however, exist.
Development Opportunities for Swiss Sparkling Wines
Global wine sales have been falling for several years and the Swiss market has not been bucking this trend. Nevertheless, the growing consumption of sparkling wines in Switzerland and the interest in local products are creating new prospects for leveraging wine production.
Understanding Alpine Farming for Targeted Policymaking
The heterogeneity of summer farms in the Swiss Alps must be take into account in order to develop effective policy measures. This should lead to improved conservation of the ecological and economic functions of alpine meadows.
Using 3D Imaging to Optimise the Diet of Growing Cattle
Fast and safe three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology gives good in vivo estimates of body and carcass chemical composition in growing beef cattle.
Root Exudates: A Means of Communication and Interaction between Plants
Plants release root exudates – compounds that influence the growth of their neighbours – into the soil. Understanding this mechanism allows us to devise new approaches for biological weed control.
Agroforestry’s Contribution to a Sustainable Agricultural Policy in Switzerland
Future agricultural policy will aim at innovative and sustainable production systems. Using the example of agroforestry, an assessment method based on an expert survey and the literature has now been tested. The results show that agroforestry can support the transformation into a more sustainable agricultural sector.
Ecological Focus Areas in Farmland and their Contribution
What do ecological focus areas in Swiss farmland contribute? Agroscope experts summarised their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services in a literature survey.
Blanchier: Ancient Variety Rediscovered in Vineyards in Valais
Although fairly widespread in the vineyards of Valais in the 19th century, Blanchier seemed to have disappeared. Now the grape variety was rediscovered in several locations.
Performance of Endangered Heritage Grape Varieties in the Vineyards of Valais
Twelve heritage grape varieties grown in Valais and at risk of extinction have been added to Agroscope’s grape varieties collection and studied. This action is linked to the National Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources.
How Does the Share of Farmland Classified as Ecological Focus Area Affect Farm Biodiversity?
Managing farmland as an Ecological Focus Area (EFA) has a positive impact on its biodiversity. Agroscope has now investigated the effect of implementing this agri-environmental measure on non-EFAs.
Catch Crops for Feed Production in Drought Conditions
Are drought-tolerant catch crops a good source of feed? A trial conducted by Agroscope shows that their potential is limited. Combining certain of these catch crops with legumes can improve feed quality, including in the form of silage.
Language Regions Assess Agricultural Policy Goals Differently
An online survey shows that the Swiss population views all agricultural policy goals as important. Although animal welfare and farmers’ incomes are the top priorities everywhere, the language regions show differences in their assessment of the goals.
Consumers Prioritise Animal Welfare over Environmental Sustainability
A study conducted across five European countries has identified the attributes that are important to consumers buying meat and dairy products. The researchers also investigated whether sustainability labels were perceived as helpful.
Heading towards a Regionalised Nitrogen Balance
The newly designed Swiss agri-environmental monitoring programme ‘MAUS’ aims, as far as possible, to determine environmental impacts for regions and farm types with existing data. The first MAUS report deals with the regionalised nitrogen balance.
