Archive

Effective agricultural extension services create new value chains and optimise existing ones. An inter-cantonal, cross-organisational project demonstrates how practical, strategic collaboration can make Swiss agriculture fit for the future.

A lack of trust in farmers can undermine a functional food system and lead to stricter regulations. A survey conducted in German-speaking Switzerland compared levels of trust in crop versus livestock farmers and identified key factors for a targeted agricultural policy.

Switzerland remains dependent on family farm labour, although non-family employment is increasing, and hiring difficulties are becoming more visible. This study analyses the working conditions of regular farm employees and identifies the factors of longer employment durations.

The agglomeration bonus payments and the landscape quality payments are to be merged into a new payment scheme for regional biodiversity and landscape quality. This study evaluates the planned merger from the perspective of agricultural policy literature.

This article describes how digitalisation in the Swiss agricultural sector has evolved from 2018 to the present day. It also outlines the measures required for successful digitalisation.

Plant species diversity in intensively managed grasslands can act like a natural insurance against drought risk by reducing production variability. This reduction persists even at increased drought risks.

This article summarises all papers published by Agroscope and ETH that deal with the perception of agricultural policy of both farmers and the rest of the population. It highlights what must be borne in mind when developing policy measures so as to achieve broad acceptance of an integrated agricultural and food policy. An effective agricultural…

Swiss summer farms lack qualified and experienced staff, partly because workers are spending fewer summers on the alps. The shortage of staff and loss of experience can have a negative impact on the sustainable management of the alpine pastures.

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.

A study examines the economic drivers of the optimal productive lifespan of dairy cows in two Swiss production systems.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

Drones can save time when looking for livestock or checking the condition of fences on summer pastures. Researchers at Agroscope have studied the factors that influence the use of drones in summer farming.

Custom-tailored communication about the personal benefits in terms of nutrition and sustainable living provided by community-supported agriculture (CSA) can motivate a variety of non-members to join the scheme.

Community gardens, allotments and community-supported agriculture are key for sustainable, resilient food systems. Their future depends on political recognition and inter-institutional network support.

Every two years, the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) highlights advances in climate mitigation and climate adaptation. Agricultural policy developments and their implications for agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a key topic.

An Agroscope study gives an overview of front-of-pack labels on the packaging of 66 plant-based milk alternatives (hereafter referred to as milk alternatives) available in Swiss supermarkets. It also examines whether the information on the labels accurately reflects product properties.

Farm managers are getting older and older on average. Although this trend poses challenges for the Swiss agricultural sector, it also offers opportunities.

A study on result-based agri-environmental payments in Switzerland shows how payment design can affect biodiversity.

Numerous environmental labels are based on life cycle assessment in combination with other methods. Are these methods compatible, and is it actually necessary to combine them? An Agroscope study investigates with the issue. Environmental labels offer guidance to consumers for making quick environmentally friendly purchasing decisions. Some environmental labels use results from life cycle assessment,…

Microalgae do not need soil and produce more biomass than crops in the same period of time. The main applications of microalgae are currently food supplements, cosmetic products, animal feed and biofuels.