Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Swiss citizens think that government, farmers, retailers and consumers are jointly responsible for transitioning towards more sustainable food systems. These are the findings of two surveys conducted by Agroscope and ETH Zürich.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Plant production 23.10.25

Cocksfoot is a productive, robust and drought-tolerant forage grass often used in Swiss grass leys. The most recent variety testing by Agroscope has led to the recommendation of several new top-performing cultivars.

Agroscope

Plant production 21.10.25

A trial conducted at Changins compared the impact of different tillage practices on wheat yields and soil fertility. It showed that minimum tillage provides agronomic and environmental advantages.

Agroscope, FiBL, University of Greenwich, University of Lausanne, EPFL

Food 16.10.25

Agroscope and its Italian counterpart CREA (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria) have described the new bacterial species Clostridium caseinilyticum sp. nov., isolated from cheese with the ‘putrificus’ quality defect and from silage. The study sheds light on potential causes and can contribute to the development of preventive measures.

Agroscope, CREA – Council for Agricultural Research and Economics

Environment 09.10.25

Private initiatives such as carbon credit trading can support public policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Agroscope and ETH Zürich examined factors which influence the effectiveness of such initiatives.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Environment 01.10.25

The occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is widely documented in soils, water bodies, drinking water and foods. An analysis by Agroscope ranks the contribution made by plant-protection products and other sources to groundwater contamination with PFAS.

Agroscope, FOAG

Environment 29.09.25

Nitrogen from agriculture, traffic, and industry enters soils and water bodies via the air. A new study shows for the first time that increased nitrogen deposition has a negative impact on bird populations – even in semi-natural habitats.

FiBL, Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach

Food 23.09.25

Wines made from fungus-resistant grape varieties are meeting with a comparable success to those from traditional grape varieties. A Swiss study reveals several consumer profiles, highlighting the importance of custom-tailored marketing strategies.

Agroscope

Environment 22.09.25

Greenhouse gas emissions from drained carbon-rich soils are being underestimated in GHG accounting. To resolve this, their distribution and emissions need to be better assessed. Accordingly, improvements for the GHG reporting system are suggested.

Agroscope

Food 17.09.25

Together with the cheese- and whey-processing sector and the foodward Foundation, Agroscope investigated how whey can be used in food and higher-quality feed. Vegetarian, kosher- and halal-compliant whey expands potential applications in the food sector.

Agroscope, foodward

Plant production 11.09.25

Agroscope researchers have assessed the potential impact of the Japanese beetle for Swiss agriculture and outlined integrated, multi-crop control measures for different sectors of production.

Agroscope

Environment 10.09.25

To date, figures on agricultural water use for irrigation in Switzerland have been quite patchy. In response, Agroscope has developed a method for estimating consumption volumes on behalf of the Federal Office for the Environment.

Agroscope

Environment 09.09.25

In a literature review, FiBL showed that protecting biodiversity requires both sustainably managed agricultural landscapes and suitable, undisturbed habitats.

FiBL

Plant production 28.08.25

Oilseed rape (OSR) requires multiple plant-protection treatments. Growing this crop with companion plants is a promising approach for sustainable pest control.

Agroscope

Animal production 21.08.25

Livestock husbandry poses challenges in determining odour impacts due to the heterogeneity and spatial extent of its odour sources. Agroscope and Empa have refined a method using trained assessors and validated it with tracer gases.

Agroscope, EMPA

Plant production 19.08.25

With its positive contribution to aroma, Metschnikowia pulcherrima is emerging as a valuable yeast in winemaking. The trial conducted suggests that bioprospection is an effective strategy for leveraging local microbial biodiversity.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 14.08.25

The use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine is to be further reduced. It is crucial for farms that their competitiveness does not suffer as a result.

BFH-HAFL

Agricultural economics 12.08.25

Acceptance of future digital technologies among farmers depends not only on how open the farmers are to digitalisation, but also primarily on concrete, farm-specific risk-benefit assessments.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 04.08.25

Agroscope investigated the Swiss population’s acceptance of digital technologies. Tools and technologies were rated more positively in plant production than in animal husbandry.

Agroscope

Plant production 29.07.25

Many fruit and vegetable crops are dependent on managed pollinators such as honeybees or bumblebees for pollination. Diversification of these pollinators is essential, since they are not always the best choice for specific crop plants, especially during cold, wet weather.

Agroscope, Bee Management, Wildbiene + Partner, University of Wageningen

Environment 24.07.25

How can urban agriculture in Zurich move toward the net-zero target? A FiBL study shows that major restructuring would be necessary to reach the goal – although smaller measures can still help bring it closer.

FiBL

Agricultural economics 16.07.25

Scientists measured tree growth in four agroforestry systems over a ten-year period and calculated carbon storage from their findings. This data helps us to better understand, plan and implement agroforestry systems, and to assess their climate-change mitigation impact.

Agroscope

Environment 15.07.25

A new study by Agroscope shows that despite higher subsidies, bushes continue to spread on alpine meadows.

Agroscope

Plant production 10.07.25

Although there is enormous microbial diversity in blueberry substrate, there is no strong correlation between diversity and yield, according to a new Agroscope study examining the interaction of soil biology and cropping system.

Agroscope

Environment 08.07.25

Feeding food no longer suitable for human consumption (‘former food products’ or FFPs) to dairy cattle is a promising approach for reducing food waste. When included in dairy diets, FFPs do not affect the cow’s metabolism, but do not reduce methane production either.

Agroscope, University of Milan

Agricultural economics 02.07.25

Stable yields are essential to ensure agricultural profitability. Two key measures are needed to limit future losses: adapting cultivation methods to the site and selecting heat- and drought-resistant varieties.

Agroscope, Université of Liège, University of Rennes

Agricultural economics 30.06.25

Agroscope and the BFH-HAFL investigated the resilience of summer farms. Although the farms were resilient as far as cheese production was concerned, they were less so in terms of landscape management and labour retention. Innovations and improved labour conditions could help remedy the situation.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL

Plant production 23.06.25

Agroscope researchers tested three natural antagonists of the tomato leafminer on six tomato genotypes. Of the three genotypes displaying a degree of resistance, two were found to be compatible with the natural enemies of the pest.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 19.06.25

The capitalised earnings value level is an important basis for assessing the value of farms, e.g. at the time of their handover. Agroscope refined the historically developed calculation method using company valuation methods.

Agroscope

Plant production 17.06.25

A study led by Agroscope has deepened our understanding of the genetic mechanisms responsible for grape skin colour. New findings have led to a revision of the genealogy of the Rouge du Pays cultivar (Cornalin du Valais) and contributed to a better understanding of the genetic diversity of the grapevine.

Agroscope, INRAE, HEPIA, University of Strasbourg, University of Montpellier, University of Neuchâtel

Archive

Shared Responsibility: Public Opinion of Agricultural and Food Policy

New Recommended Varieties of Cocksfoot

Minimum Tillage Offers Multiple Advantages

A New Bacterial Species Identified as the Cause of the ‘Putrificus’ Cheese Defect

How Voluntary Climate Protection Measures Can Be Successful

Trifluoroacetic Acid and Other PFAS in Groundwater: the Role of Plant Protection Products

Airborne Nitrogen Deposition Affects Bird Populations

Swiss Consumer Wine Preferences: Traditional vs. Fungus-Resistant Grape Varieties

Underestimate of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Switzerland’s Farmed Transition Soils

Whey for Food and Higher-Quality Feed that also meets Kosher/Halal Standards

Japanese Beetle: Damage Potential and Control Measures in Switzerland

How Much Water Does the Swiss Agricultural Sector Need for Irrigation?

Biodiversity Can Be Protected Through Sustainable Agriculture and Suitable Habitats

Intercropping: a Strategy for Controlling Insect Pests in Oilseed Rape Crops

Can Odour Impacts Be Reliably Determined by Assessors?

Bioprospection of Metschnikowia pulcherrima for Chasselas vinification

Measures for Antibiotic Reduction and Competitiveness in the Dairy Industry

Why Acceptance of Digital Technologies Varies among Swiss Farmers

Smart Farming: Public Acceptance Rises When Benefits Are Stressed

Mason Bees: Choosing the Right Species for Cherry- and Apple Tree Pollination

Net Zero for Agriculture Within the City of Zurich: An Achievable Goal?

Swiss Agroforestry Systems Meet Farming Sector Expectations and Support Climate Mitigation

The Effect of Subsidies on Woody Plant Encroachment

Blueberries Prefer Acid Soils – but too much Acidity is Detrimental

Reducing Food Waste: Concentrates with ‘Former Food Products’ for Dairy Cattle

Potato Yields Are Influenced by the Climate and Genetic Variability

How Resilient is Swiss Summer Farming?

Which Tomato Plant is Compatible with Which Natural Antagonist of the Tomato Leafminer?

Method for Calculating Agricultural Capitalised Earnings Value Level Refined

Cornalin du Valais Orphaned Once Again