Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Livestock farming is at the centre of current debates on the future of Swiss agriculture. An analysis involving representatives from Swiss interest groups shows that despite diverging positions on individual objectives, the green, liberal and conservative groups are more in agreement on the preferred direction of development.

ZHAW

Plant production 11.11.26

Climate change and the reduced use of plant-protection products are posing new challenges for viticulture. For the first time, this study provides detailed knowledge on the ripening of Divico and shows that stable quality characteristics can be obtained under varying climatic conditions.

Agroscope, HES-SO Changins, EGFV

Environment 02.11.26

Nitrate in the groundwater poses a challenge on intensive arable farmland. A simple new table-based tool helps extension services in the Niederbipp-Gäu-Olten Nitrate Project calculate the nitrogen requirement of arable crops with greater precision and ease.

Agroscope, TerrAquat

Environment 29.10.26

Soil compaction and structural loss can negatively impact yields and agricultural environmental services. Long-term data from the Canton of Bern show that type of permanent grassland use is more important than the choice between the ‘permanent grassland’ and ‘arable farming’ practices, or between the ‘Proof of Ecological Performance’ and ‘organic farming’ cropping systems.

Agroscope, Office for Agriculture and Nature of the Canton of Bern, Soil Protection Agency, Utrecht University

Animal production 28.10.26

Various studies demonstrate the potential of protein-reduced feed to reduce ammonia emissions. A one-year trial on two Swiss dairy farms shows how this approach performs in the long term under practical conditions.

BFH-HAFL

Environment 20.10.26

An investigation conducted throughout Switzerland shows that management practices and site factors influence the occurrence of plant protection product (PPP) residues in Swiss agricultural soils. Furthermore, these residues sometimes remain detectable for longer than expected. The findings form an essential basis for long-term soil monitoring.

Agroscope

Plant production 15.10.26

Camera-guided spot-spraying enables a targeted application of plant protection products (PPPs) on individual plants. Field trials confirm that this can result in PPP savings and a significant reduction in runoff and drift.

Agroscope, Swiss Central Office for Vegetable Production, Association of Swiss Vegetable Producers, Möri AG, Ecorobotix SA

Agricultural economics 14.10.26

Rearing heifers accounts for a significant proportion of the costs involved in milk production. This study uses a model calculation to demonstrate how a lower age at first calving can improve the profitability of Swiss Holstein farms.

BFH-HAFL

Plant production 28.09.26

How reliable are modern methods of measuring nitrogen fertilisation in vegetable production? Field trials show that established methods are still more effective – and reveal scope for reduced fertilisation without yield loss.

Agroscope

Environment 21.09.26

The Climate Strategy for Agriculture and Food requires cost-efficient greenhouse gas mitigation measures. An Agroscope study shows which technical measures are effective and how much costs are influenced by the different implementation strategies.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 16.09.26

The level of burden involved in working on a farm cannot be determined solely on the basis of working hours, workforce availability or model calculations. A study involving 571 Swiss farms reveals significant differences between a measured and perceived workload burden.

Agroscope

Plant production 15.09.26

Grass grows on around 70% of Switzerland’s utilised agricultural area. Yields on these grasslands vary significantly. For the first time, an Agroscope study has calculated these yields in a spatially differentiated manner, making digital maps available for planning and farm extension services.

Agroscope

Plant production 03.09.26

In viticulture, application of organic foliar fertiliser at the time of veraison does little to correct a deficiency of yeast-assimilable nitrogen in the must. Applying foliar mineral nitrogen remains a more effective approach.

Agroscope

Animal production 02.09.26

People and artificial intelligence (AI) detect reproducible patterns in pig vocalizations, especially during acute distress. Yet an isolated sound rarely reveals the exact situation or whether a pig feels positive or negative.

ETH Zurich

Agricultural economics 25.08.26

Although the potential for organic lentil cultivation exists in Switzerland it is languishing at a low level. Results from Agroscope show how harvest volumes can be stabilised and whether there are organoleptic differences between varieties.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 20.08.26

How can plant-protection product use in winter wheat be reduced without compromising yields? An Agroscope study shows that a combination of herbicide-free weed-control measures can achieve yields comparable to those obtained with herbicide use.

Agroscope

Plant production 12.08.26

Meadow fescue is an important fodder grass on temporary leys in Switzerland. Agroscope tested 24 varieties of meadow fescue on six sites. Three new cultivars proved impressive in the growing trials and are designated for variety recommendation.

Agroscope

Animal production 11.08.26

Is it possible to prepare cattle at home in a way that reduces their stress at the slaughterhouse? In a comparison, prepared animals showed lower cortisol levels during slaughter than control animals.

FiBL

Plant production 22.07.26

Seeds are generally routinely treated with plant-protection products to safeguard yields. A study conducted on wheat seeds and based on new field data shows that when disease pressure is low, this routine treatment offers no benefit in many cases.

Agroscope, FiBL

Plant production 14.07.26

Fungicide seed coatings protect seeds and safeguard yields, but can adversely affect beneficial soil fungi. Recent findings from various experimental systems – from controlled laboratory trials to real-life conditions in the field – show how dramatically these effects can vary.

Agroscope, University of Zurich – Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

Plant production 13.07.26

Where in Europe will tomorrow’s wine be produced? A study based on climate analogues shows that global warming will redefine the wine-growing regions, with diseases playing a vital role.

Agroscope, University of Geneva

Animal production 09.07.26

As food waste rises globally, the agricultural sector is faced with balancing livestock feed production and sustainable food systems. FiBL explored the benefits of adding vegetable and fruit scraps to a pig diet to improve animal welfare and resource optimization.

FiBL

Plant production 08.07.26

For the first time, a genetic analysis provides a detailed image of how flavescence dorée spreads in Swiss vineyards north of the Alps, showing that infected planting material and local dissemination both contribute to the growth of the epidemic.

Agroscope, Canton of Vaud

Agricultural economics 02.07.26

Two thirds of Swiss farmers have already reached their personal limits — yet specialised help is rarely sought. A nationwide network shows why and how this can change.

Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST)

Environment 01.07.26

Indicators from a 14-year monitoring programme show improvements in climate, water, soil and food supply.

Agroscope

Plant production 26.06.26

In Switzerland a large proportion of strawberries and raspberries are grown under protective structures that could be combined with agrivoltaic systems. A study conducted by Agroscope and Insolight investigated how shading impacts yield and fruit quality and calculated threshold values.

Agroscope, Insolight

Food 25.06.26

Smear-ripened cheeses often develop quality problems such as odours and stickiness in the pre-packing stage. A new ripening method which involves wrapping the cheese in biodegradable fabric offers a solution. Trials conducted in commercial cheese dairies have confirmed this.

Agroscope

Animal production 24.06.26

A further reduction in the crude protein content of pig feed is challenging, but possible. This study shows that nitrogen utilisation efficiency can be improved and emissions reduced without compromising performance or meat quality.

BFH-HAFL

Agricultural economics 23.06.26

Mountain and livestock farming are widely seen as closely linked. Yet climate risks, market pressures and societal change are limiting the strategic options available to many farms. Crop diversification can extend it in site-adapted ways.

ZHAW, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Germany

Agricultural economics 17.06.26

Is Swiss agriculture adapted to local site conditions? Agroscope and the Federal Office for Agriculture evaluated three scenarios. In the most sustainable, the arable land surface is similar to the current surface, but some of this land is at different locations.

Agroscope, FOAG

Archive

Food Security, Animal Welfare or Climate Protection: Goals for the Future of Livestock Farming

Ripening Dynamics of Divico, a Fungal Disease-Resistant Grape Variety

A Table-Based Tool Makes Calculating the Nitrogen Requirement of Arable Crops Easier

Thirty Years of Soil Monitoring Show Effects of Management on Soil Structure

Protein-Reduced Dairy Cattle Feed Supplemented with Rumen-Stable Amino Acids

How Switzerland Can Keep an Eye on the Longevity of Plant Protection Product Residues in Agricultural Soils

Spot-Spraying Substantially Reduces Plant Protection Product Use and Environmental Risks in Vegetable Production

Earlier first calving can improve the profitability of dairy farms

Nitrogen Fertilisation in Vegetable Production: Which Measurement Methods Work?

How Much Does it Cost to Reduce Greenhouse Gases in Agriculture?

Measuring Workload on Farms More Meaningfully, Rather than Simply Calculating it

Digital Maps for Spatially Differentiated Assessment of Grassland Productivity

Foliar Fertilisation in Viticulture: Limited Efficacy of Organic Forms on Yeast-Assimilable Nitrogen in Musts

Can people hear how a pig feels?

Key Factors for Successful Organic Lentil Production in Switzerland

Swiss Field Data Show Comparable Wheat Yields With and Without Herbicide Use

Three New Varieties of Meadow Fescue Ready for Recommendation

Preparing Cattle at Home: Less Stress during Slaughter

Seed Treatment Can Be Evaluated on a Case-by-Case Basis

How Do Fungicide Seed Coatings on Maize Affect Mycorrhizal Fungi and Yields?

Climate Change to Redraw European Viticulture

Diversification of Organic Pig Feed with Vegetable and Fruit Scraps

Flavescence Dorée: Introduction and Propagation in Western Switzerland

Farm Burnout: Early Detection, Effective Support

Long-Term Study of Agri-Environmental Monitoring Highlights Ecological Progress

More Light, Higher Yield: Strawberries React More Sensitively to Shading than Raspberries

Fabric Wrap Optimises Cheese Ripening

Further Potential for Reducing Crude Protein Content in Pig Fattening

Arable and Specialty Crops in Mountain Areas: from Forgotten Heritage to Resilience Strategy

Site-Adapted Agriculture: Where Arable Crops Can Be Produced Sustainably