Archive
97 posts
Wich cow for pasture-based production systems?: Synthesis and outlook
The objective of the study was to compare, within pasture-based seasonal-calving systems, the performance of Swiss Holstein-Friesian, Fleckvieh and Brown Swiss dairy cows with New Zealand Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Within the trial, the two Holstein breeds had the best production performance, whereas the Fleckvieh cows had optimal reproductive performance. Swiss Holstein cows were efficient milk…
World champion cheese cultures
Swiss cheeses regularly win prizes at international contests. Experts widely agree that the microbial cultures from Liebefeld have contributed greatly to this success story. Thanks to the use of cultures with bacteria originally stemming from biodiversity in the nearby area, the connection between traditional Swiss cheeses and their terroir can be strengthened considerably. This article…
Robust varieties crucial for fireblight control
The loss of traditional apple orchards, also due to fire blight outbreaks, is threatening the supply of the Swiss cider industry in high quality cider apples. Fireblight tolerant varieties are a key-factor in a sustainable disease-management. They not only ensure the availability of high quality cider apples, but also help to maintain traditional orchards, playing…
Fusaria and mycotoxins in grain maize in Switzerland
Between 2008 and 2010, Agroscope Reckenholz- Tänikon ART conducted a first Swiss-wide monitoring of commercial grain maize samples. The aim was to determine the occurrence and impact of different Fusarium species in order to assess the potential risk of mycotoxin contamination. In addition, we evaluated the potential influence of different cropping factors in order to…
ProfiGemüse CH – a new network as integrated project of ProfiCrops
ProfiGemüse CH, which is an integrated project of ProfiCrops, aims to strengthen the competitiveness of swiss vegetable producers in the market. In order to reach this goal, the acquisition of knowledge related to technical aspects of the production and business related knowledge will be promoted and transferred into practice. Though, the interconnection of existing competences…
The new biotype Nr:1 of the currant lettuce aphid: its distribution and impact on Swiss lettuce production
The currant lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley) is the most common aphid species on field-grown lettuce in Europe. Cultivation of lettuce varieties, resistant to the currant lettuce aphid (possessing the resistance Nr:0), was an important tool to control Nasonovia in the crop, until the plant resistance was broken down. In 2007, the currant lettuce aphid…
Microbial pollen beetle control: initial experience gained in Switzerland
Pollen beetle control without insecticides presents a major challenge to organic farming. There are currently no effective options available for controlling infestations in bioproduction or cultivation conforming to IP-SUISSE guidelines. An insecticidal fungusbased method was tested to assess the potential of microbial pest control strategies. Domestic isolates of Beauveria bassiana, found as natural pathogens on…
Field trials with genetically modified powdery mildew-resistant wheat
The benefits and environmental risks of genetically modified (GM) spring wheat with improved powdery mildew resistance were investigated on two field sites by a consortium of Swiss research groups from 2008 to 2010. GM wheat lines with specific powdery mildew resistance and general fungal resistance were compared with control lines, commercial wheat varieties, and with…
Silage additives and aerobic stability: test results 2010
When using efficient silage additives the aerobic instability can be reduced. The Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station ALP tested the silage additive Schaumasil supra NK meant for improving the aerobic stability of maize silages. In addition to a negative control without additives, a positive control with Luprosil was taken into account. The trials were conducted with silage…
Reduced tillage protects earthworms
Earthworm activity improves soil fertility. In arable crop rotations highest earthworm populations are usually found in leys. The impact of tillage system and tillage intensity on earthworm populations was studied in the two long term trials at urgrain (Albertswil LU) and at Hausweid (Aadorf TG). At Burgrain having a crop rotation lasting six years and…
Viral diseases of oilseed rape in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the rape is grown mainly on the Plateau, from Geneva to Thurgovie. With 15 000 ha cultivated, it is one of the predominant crops in our rotation-culture system. The majority is cultivated as autumn rape, sown at the end of August. In some of our neighboring countries, such as Germany and France, viruses…
Pasture feeding or cowshed feeding – which is more economical?
In a «System comparison of milk production in Hohenrain » two dairy cattle herds on an identical land area were compared over three years in different production systems. Higher individual livestock yield and intensive cowshed feeding characterised the «cowshed herd» system, while the «pasture herd» was managed with permanent access to pasture and seasonal calving…
System comparison milk production Hohenrain: milk quality and seasonal milk production
In the years 2008 to 2010, in the project «System comparison milk production Hohenrain», two different milk production systems were compared: a pasture based system versus an indoor feeding system with a mix ration of grass and maize silage. In the present paper the results of milk quality and seasonal milk production were investigated. The…
Facilitating the evaluation of possible environmental harm from genetic engineering
The debate on the possible impact of genetically modified (GM) crops on biodiversity shows that so far there is no consensus on generally accepted assessment criteria for environmental harm. This debate stems primarily not from a shortage of data, but rather from the absence of criteria for assessing the effects of GM plants on biodiversity.…
Comparison of dairy farming systems: barn-keeping v pasture-based keeping – Feed, performance and efficiency
The aim of this study was to compare barn-keeping (BK) to pasture-based-keeping (PK) systems in dairy farming. We established two herds which were kept under the same conditions and with an equal agricultural area (AA) on the same experimental farm from 2008 to 2010. The BK herd consisted of 12 Swiss Holstein-Friesian and 12 Brown…
Sainfoin and birdsfoot trefoil variety trials (2008 – 2010)
From 2008 through 2010, Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART and Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW research stations tested three varieties of sainfoin and five varieties of birdsfoot trefoil. The parameters assessed were forage yield, juvenile development, vigour, competitive ability, persistence, resistance to leaf diseases and winter conditions and the ability for cultivation at higher altitudes. For each variety, an…
Influence of organic and mineral fertilizers on nutrient leaching
Between 2002 and 2009 the influence of fertilizer type on drainage water formation and nutrient leaching was investigated in one crop rotation at the Bern- Liebefeld lysimeter station. Slightly higher crop yields were obtained with purely organic fertilizer than with pure mineral or organic-mineral fertilizers. One of the reasons for this may be that optimum…
