Archive - Agrarforschung Schweiz

Filter options

Agricultural economics (285)

Animal production (476)

Environment (404)

Food (147)

Other (312)

Plant production (684)

Select year Select month

Reset filters

Agricultural economics 18.05.22

Umstätter C., Mann S. und Werner J.

Previous criteria used to measure social sustainability have their limits in the case of family farms. We propose focusing on workload. Initial results show that this is an easy-to-use and meaningful indicator.

Agroscope, Thünen-Institut, University of Hohenheim

Plant production 13.05.22

Kaiser A., Burger P.

To reduce plant-protection product use, we need to know what behavioural patterns farmers follow when using plant-protection products in their crops. This was the subject of a study conducted by Agroscope in Switzerland.

Agroscope, University of Basel

Agricultural economics 12.05.22

El Benni N., Ritzel C., Heitkämper K. und Mack G.

Why do Swiss farmers complain about the administrative burden associated with the direct payments system? Studies conducted by Agroscope show that the issue is not the time required: other factors are more important.

Animal production 05.05.22

Herholz C., Siegwart J., Bruckmaier R.M., Rytz E., Lamon I., Muhr M. und Stirnimann R.

In both sport and alternative agriculture, horses are once again being used as draught animals. Efficient power transmission plays an important role in the wellbeing of draught horses.

BFH-HAFL, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, IG Arbeitspferde Schweiz

Food 29.04.22

Spring J.-L., Zufferey V., Verdenal T., Reynard J.-S., Lorenzini F., Bourdin G., Carlen C.

Divico, Agroscope’s new disease-resistant grape variety, is noted for the quality of its wines. Blending trials with the Pinot Noir variety have shown that Divico is also highly suitable for correcting colour intensity in the latter.

Animal production 28.04.22

A study by Vetsuisse shows that the outdoor veal calf concept reduces antibiotic consumption in calf fattening by 80%. AGRIDEA has examined the economic viability of outdoor veal calf production and concludes that it cannot compete with conventional veal calf fattening.

Plant production 27.04.22

Rainer Frick, Daniel Suter, Hansueli Hirschi, Edwige Dereuder, Cédric Coudry

Crimson clover is essentially used as a catch crop in association with ryegrass. The comparative trial conducted in 2019-21 has led to the addition of two new acquisitions to the List of Recommended Varieties of Forage Plants.

Animal production 12.04.22

Wasem D. und Probst S.

In contrast to pigs, dairy cattle are as yet rarely fed protein-reduced diets. Studies show that there is also potential for protein savings in cattle, and thus for reducing ammonia emissions.

Plant production 31.03.22

Ammann J., Umstätter C. und El Benni N.

Digital technologies for vegetable production are available, but are seldom used at present. What factors inhibit or promote their use? A survey of experts conducted by Agroscope provides answers.

Agroscope, Thünen Institute for Agricultural Technology

Plant production 24.03.22

Argento F., Liebisch F., Simmler M., Ringger C., Hatt M., Walter A. und Anken T.

To ensure a good harvest while protecting the environment, a nitrogen surplus must be avoided. Agroscope is investigating how the application of nitrogen fertiliser can be better adapted to soil replenishment and the needs of the plants.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich, Swiss Future Farm

Agricultural economics 10.03.22

Reissig L., Stoinescu A., Mack G.

Farmers are increasingly required to communicate electronically with the authorities. This is obligatory regarding the management of direct payments and the livestock census. Agroscope interviewed farmers on their perception of the administrative workload.

Agricultural economics 03.03.22

Ammann, J., El Benni, N.

Digitalisation is playing an increasingly important role in agriculture. What knowledge is imparted in the Farm Manager course? An online survey shows where there is a need for expansion.

Plant production 02.03.22

Salomon M.J., van der Heijden M.G.A.
Contact: marcel.vanderheijden@agroscope.admin.ch

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are like a “life-insurance policy for plants”. They improve soil structure and make nutrients and water available. This increases the stress tolerance of crops and leads to better yields.

Agroscope, University of Zurich, University of Adelaide, North Carolina State University, South Dakota State University

Environment 28.02.22

Bättig D., Ramseier H., Luka H., Herzog F., Jacot K.

Farmer acceptance plays a crucial role in establishing optimal flower strips. A survey conducted by Agroscope, FiBL and HAFL shows that pollinator flower strips work in practice, and lead to high satisfaction.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL, FiBL

Agricultural economics 22.02.22

Finger R. and El Benni N.

Farms, their risks and various underlying conditions are becoming increasingly complex. Because of this, agricultural income should be considered holistically.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Animal production 10.02.22

Schori F. and Münger A.

Forestomach acidosis can impair nutrient utilisation and uptake in dairy cows. Agroscope tested the functioning of two makes of measurement boluses that record pH in the forestomach of cows.

Agricultural economics 02.02.22

Ehlers M.-H., Finger R., Huber R.

How is digitalisation changing agriculture and agricultural policy? A European team with the participation of Agroscope, the FOAG and the ETH developed four scenarios from which strategies were derived for the future achievement of agricultural policy goals.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Animal production 27.01.22

Schori F. und Münger A.

Agroscope investigated the effects on dairy cows of an all-herbage ration compared with a concentrate-supplemented ration. The study shows that an all-herbage ration is possible for suitable dairy cow types.

Environment 11.01.22

M. Korkaric, L. Ammann, I. Hanke, J. Schneuwly, M. Lehto, T. Poiger, L. de Baan, O. Daniel, J.F. Blom

Agroscope has developed risk indicators for plant protection products. These indicators highlight risk trends over time for important environmental compartments. Based on sales volumes of active substances, they take account of specific risk reduction measures.

Environment 14.12.21

O. Heller, N. Peter, G. Garland and P. Weisskopf

The preservation of soil fertility and multiple soil functions faces various challenges both in Switzerland and throughout Europe. A survey carried out in Switzerland among people from practice, government agencies and research highlights problems and possible solutions.

Food 09.12.21

H. Stoffers, M. Peter, H.-P. Bachmann, L. Egger, S. Dubois and B. Guggenbühl

As part of the trend towards vegetarian and vegan products, Agroscope looked into the production of plant-based alternatives to soft cheese based on Swiss raw materials.

Plant production 07.12.21

Schröder A., Heyer J., Hochstrasser M., Brugger D., Wirth J.

The invasive weed yellow nutsedge creates considerable problems for Swiss producers in arable and vegetable crops. In a four-year project, stakeholders from research and practice evaluated various control strategies on-farm.

Agroscope, Fachstelle Pflanzenschutz des Kantons Bern, Grangeneuve, Strickhof, Swiss Farmer’s Union SFU

Animal production 22.11.21

Kast C. and Kilchenmann V.

Pesticides accumulate in beeswax and pose a risk to the development of bee larvae. In an in vitro study, Agroscope evaluated the toxicity of pesticides in beeswax

Agricultural economics 11.11.21

Hoop D.

Grass-fed milk production meets a customer need, and is linked to specific feed and animal-welfare requirements. An Agroscope study sought to determine the circumstances in which grass-fed milk production is worthwhile.

Animal production 10.11.21

Scriba M. F. and Wechsler B.

Fattening pigs suffer when it is hot. Timely provision of cooling measures increases both animal welfare and success in pig fattening. Researchers at Agroscope examined which indicators reliably indicate heat stress in fattening pigs.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs

Environment 01.11.21

Eisenring S., Holzkämper A., Calanca P.

Model calculations show how climate change will affect the water requirement for different crops grown on the Swiss Central Plateau. This will allow us to proactively plan for crop irrigation and adaptation to the changing climate.

Plant production 27.10.21

Reinbacher L., Bacher S., Knecht F., Schweizer C., Sostizzo T. and Grabenweger G..

Wireworms cause significant crop losses in potatoes. This study investigated the efficacy of a fungus in decimating wireworm populations in the winter cover crop. The strategy was partially successful, but must be further optimised for use in practice.

Agroscope, University of Fribourg

Environment 18.10.21

Rodrigues L., Hardy B., Huyghebaert B., Fohrafellner J., Barančíková G., Bárcena T., De Boever M., Di Bene C., Feiziene D., Fornara D., Kätterer T., Laszlo P., O’Sullivan L., Seitz D., Leifeld J.

Together with project partners, Agroscope investigated soil carbon sequestration potentials for 24 European countries. Carbon sequestration could offset 0.1% to 27% of greenhouse-gas emissions from agriculture per annum.

Agroscope, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, BIOS Science Austria, Prešov University, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, CREA – Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, ATK – Centre for Agricultural Research, Teagasc, Environment, Soils and Land-Use Research, Thünen-Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture

Animal production 06.10.21

Decker A., Zähner M., Dohme-Meier F., Böttger C., Münger A., Heimo D., Schrade S.

Excess nitrogen is excreted in the urine and leads to higher ammonia emissions. Nitrogen in the urine of dairy cows can be estimated based on the urea content of their milk. This information can be used to optimise protein feeding.

Plant production 29.09.21

Debonneville C., Kellenberger I. und Schumpp O.

Bacterial diseases can have a huge impact on potato production yields. The method for detecting these diseases used in Switzerland to date does not allow the growing demand for tests to be met. Agroscope is implementing new solutions.