Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Alpine pastures provide forage for cattle, storage for CO2, food for pollinators, a habitat for countless plants, and fascinate us with their beauty. The extent to which these services are provided depends on location, climate – and cows.

Agroscope

Animal production 26.09.24

A current overview of paratuberculosis describes this chronic disease of cattle, shows how it is being controlled internationally and in Switzerland, and explains why this is important.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), University of Bern

Animal production 07.08.24

Fast and safe three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology gives good in vivo estimates of body and carcass chemical composition in growing beef cattle.

Agroscope, INRAE, 3D Ouest

Agricultural economics 20.06.24

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.

Agroscope

Animal production 29.05.24

Dual-purpose chicken play some role in Swiss organic agriculture. Their feed efficiency is a challenge, though. Would it help to use more extensive and fibre-rich feed for such genotypes?

FiBL

Animal production 15.04.24

Heurtault J., Hiscocks S., Létourneau-Montminy M.P, Schlegel P.

Sows mobilise body reserves of phosphorus during lactation and replenish these reserves during gestation. Considering this dynamic allows us to envisage a reduction in dietary intake of phosphorus during lactation, and hence, of excretion into the environment.

Agroscope, University of Laval, AB Vista

Animal production 14.03.24

Scheurer A., Dörig C. A., Braillard M., Purtschert L., Keil N.

Professionally managed dairy sheep and dairy goat farms are increasingly using mixed rations. The composition of rations fed in practice and the resulting milk yield potential were analysed.

BFH-HAFL, Agroscope

Agricultural economics 12.03.24

Ammann J., Mack G., Irek J., Finger R., El Benni N.

Agroscope researchers conducted an online survey to investigate the attitudes of Swiss consumers to agricultural policy goals in all three language regions. The results should help better shape agricultural policy.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Animal production 21.02.24

Manzocchi E., Huguenin-Elie O., Probo M., Wyss U.

While botanical composition, growth cycle and phenological stage are integral factors, they are not the sole determinants of the quality of grass silages from intensively managed permanent meadows.

Agroscope

Animal production 05.02.24

Mazzoleni S., Tretola M., Luciano A., Lin P., Pinotti L., Bee G.

Food that is unsuitable for human consumption does not affect the growth performance or carcass composition of pigs to which it is fed. This makes it a promising solution for reducing food waste.

Agroscope, University of Milan

Animal production 29.01.24

Herholz C., Siegwart J., Nussbaum M., Studer M. H., Burgos S.

Horses are ridden or driven on a variety of surfaces, which differently absorb the impact forces exerted on hooves, limbs and the horse's entire body. Objective measurement of the functional properties of equestrian arena surfaces is therefore of great importance.

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 07.12.23

Stettler A., Probst S.

Livestock can convert grassland and by-products into valuable food. But how many animals would Switzerland need if arable land were primarily used for food production instead of animal feed?

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 29.11.23

Rödiger M., Home R., Walkenhorst M.

Which stakeholders in the dairy sector have an influence on the productive life of dairy cows? Research results from FiBL and Agroscope suggest that broad-based cooperation is needed to create structures for a longer productive life.

Agroscope, FiBL

Animal production 23.11.23

Schrade S., Zeyer K., Mohn J., Zähner M.

Agriculture is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions. Agroscope showed that for dairy cattle housing, feed composition plays a role in these emissions as well as wind and temperature.

Agroscope, EMPA

Animal production 12.10.23

Lazzari G., Münger A., Eggerschwiler L., Borda-Molina D., Seifert J., Camarinha-Silva A., Schrade S., Zähner M., Zeyer K., Kreuzer M., Dohme-Meier F.

Tannin-containing feedstuffs like Acacia mearnsii and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) have a measurable impact in reducing methane emissions from dairy cows. However, since these feedstuffs in some cases lead to productivity losses, careful consideration must be given to their use.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich, University of Hohenheim, EMPA

Animal production 11.07.23

Pontiggia A., Münger A., Ammer S., Philipona C., Bruckmaier R. M., Keil N.M., Dohme-Meier F.

Even in temperate climate zones, an increase in the ambient temperature and solar radiation can cause heat stress in grazing dairy cows. Agroscope studied the physiological changes in cows caused by increasing heat load.

Agroscope, FiBL, University of Bern, University of Göttingen

Environment 29.06.23

Lazzari G., Münger A., Heimo D., Seifert S., Camarinha-Silva A., Borda-Molina D., Zähner M., Schrade S., Kreuzer M., Dohme-Meier F.

In dairy cows, herbage-based diets often lead to increased nitrogen excretion. Tanniferous sainfoin and extract of acacia can reduce nitrogen excretion from urine and thus ammonia volatilization from slurry.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich, University of Hohenheim

Animal production 23.06.23

von Wyl H., Küng T., Kupper T., Spring P.

Excessive nitrogen inputs from the air lead to over-fertilisation of sensitive ecosystems. Continuous feeding optimisation can make an important contribution to reducing ammonia losses and thus nitrogen inputs.

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 21.06.23

Ueda K., Heikkilä U., Kuntzer T., Gobbo Oliveira Erünlü N., Joël Bérard J., Wellnitz O., Beglinger C., Rieder S.

Monitoring systems for indoor housing and home or alpine pastures are gaining in importance owing to their potential for uninterrupted remote monitoring of livestock and for automating administrative tasks. Identitas AG and Agroscope tested the suitability of a sensor ear-tag for cattle for this purpose. The agricultural sector is evolving towards larger farms with bigger…

Agroscope, Identitas AG

Animal production 07.06.23

Spengler Neff A., Probst J. K. und Knösel M.

Transport to the slaughterhouse and the time spent in the slaughterhouse are often very stressful for farm animals. A comparative study by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL shows that on-farm slaughter can significantly reduce stress for animals.

FiBL, Hofgut Rengoldshausen

Animal production 01.06.23

Münger A., Eggerschwiler L., Dohme-Meier F.

An ancient fodder crop that had been largely forgotten, sainfoin is experiencing a revival thanks to its ability to reduce ruminant emissions. Agroscope demonstrated a methane- and ammonia-reducing effect for dairy cows fed with fresh sainfoin.

Agroscope

Animal production 26.04.23

Ineichen S., Schenker U., Nemecek T., Reidy B.

The dairy sector is urged to reduce negative environmental impacts. But dairy is not only milk: depending on the production system and cow breed, relevant amounts of meat as by-product result. How can emissions thus be allocated to milk and meat?

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 13.04.23

Morel I.

The available forage, climatic conditions and the measures for reducing ammonia emissions can adversely affect protein supplies for suckler cows. What is the impact on the weight and intake of the cows and their calves?

Agroscope

Animal production 05.04.23

Driesen C., Zennegg M., Rothacher M., Dubois S., Wyss U., Nowack B., Lerch S.

Persistent organic pollutants may accumulate in the tissues of suckler cows and their calves. Agroscope and Empa studied the processes by which these undesirable substances accumulate as well as the decontamination of previously exposed animals.

Agroscope, EMPA

Animal production 20.12.22

Holzer S., Keller M., Humbert F.-L., Laube D., Burren A. und Herholz C.

Stable climate has an important impact on the respiratory health of horses. In a study on indoor climate quality, three different ventilation systems were tested.

BFH-HAFL, Direction des institutions, de l’agriculture et des forêts (DIAF), B+M AGROTECH

Animal production 14.11.22

Gazzarin C., Blättler T., Bütler A., Durgiai B. und Schmid D.

Although milk-production oriented (MPO) cow breeds have also become established in the mountain region, farms with the dual-purpose ‘Original Simmental’ breed are proving to be economically viable, with lower costs and higher direct payments making up for lower revenues from milk.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL

Animal production 03.11.22

Bach L., Ammann J., Bruckmaier R. M., Müller U., Umstätter C.

High milk yields before drying-off increase the risk of udder infections during the dry period. An online survey highlights what drying-off methods are currently used and how farmers rate the ‘incomplete milking’ approach for reducing milk yield.

Agroscope, University of Bern, Thünen-Institut, Universität Bonn

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

Animal production 28.04.22

Straub U.

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.

Agridea

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.

BFH-HAFL

Archive

It’s Not All About Cheese: Cows and Hikers are Not the Only Ones to Benefit from Alpine Pastures

Paratuberculosis in Cattle: International Evolution and Situation in Switzerland

Using 3D Imaging to Optimise the Diet of Growing Cattle

Consumers Prioritise Animal Welfare over Environmental Sustainability

Roughage Components in Nutrition of Layers – Does it Make Sense for Dual-Purpose Poultry?

Dynamics of Bone Mineralisation in Sows and Phosphorus Excretion

Forage-Based Mixed Rations for Dairy Sheep and Dairy Goats in Practice

Consumers See Animal Welfare as a Key Agricultural Policy Goal

Quality of Silages from Intensively Managed Permanent Meadows

Using Former Food Products as Pig Feed Reduces Food Waste

Functional Properties of Equestrian Arena Surfaces: Temporal and Spatial Variations

How Much Livestock Does Switzerland Need for Optimal Land Use?

Extending the Productive Life of Dairy Cows: Who Has a Say?

Dairy Farming: Feed, Wind and Temperature Influence Ammonia and Nitrous Oxide Emissions

What Effect Do Tannin-Containing Feeds Have on Methane Emissions from Dairy Cows?

How Do Grazing Dairy Cows Respond Physiologically to Heat Stress?

Sainfoin Silage and Acacia Extract Reduce the Nitrogen Content in the Urine of Dairy Cows

Reducing Protein Content in Pig Feed

Remote Monitoring –Sensor Ear-Tag for Cattle Put to the Test

On-Farm Slaughter – Less Stress, More Animal Welfare

Sainfoin – an Alternative to Clover/Grass Mixtures When Feeding Green Fodder to Dairy Cows?

How to Allocate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Dairy Production

Undersupply of Protein to Suckler Cows: What Are the Implications?

Suckler Cows May Transfer Organic Pollutants to their Offspring: How Does This Process Work?

Horsekeeping: Influence of Three different Ventilation Systems on Stable Climate

Mountain Milk Production with Dual-Purpose Cows: Outdated Tradition or Modern Moneyspinner?

Dairy Cows: Swiss Farms Surveyed on Drying-off Practice

Use of Horses: Performance and Welfare in Working Horses – a Pilot Study

The Outdoor Veal Calf Concept Reduces the Use of Antibiotics – Is It Cost-Effective as Well?

Feeding Dairy Cows a Protein-Reduced Diet and Reducing Ammonia Emissions