Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Filter options

Agricultural economics (296)

Animal production (484)

Environment (430)

Food (156)

Other (312)

Plant production (702)

Select year Select month

Reset filters

Environment 08.06.23

Hutchings C., Spiess E., Prasuhn V.

Agroscope researchers calculated the nitrogen and phosphorus inputs into Swiss water bodies for the year 2020. Although these inputs decreased in comparison to 2010, the 'agriculture' environmental target for nitrogen inputs was missed by a significant margin.

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.

Food 24.05.23

Berger J., Bisig W., Hummerjohann J.

The consumption of raw-milk products is considered to be healthy, but is not entirely risk-free due to the possible presence of pathogenic bacteria. Agroscope and BFH-HAFL investigated the microbiological safety of raw-milk yoghurt and showed that this is protected in several respects by fermentation.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL

Environment 15.05.23

Gfeller A., Tschuy F., Tanner L., Adolph A., Wirth J.

By 2025, the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) aims to control the vegetation in the track area without herbicides. Agroscope tested the effectiveness of hot-water treatments in a three-year trial and rates this method as a suitable alternative to herbicides.

Agroscope, SBB AG / Infrastructure

Agricultural economics 09.05.23

El Benni N., Schmid D.

According to the international literature, direct payments influence the decision of farm managers to pursue off-farm employment. An Agroscope study looked into what this meant in the Swiss context.

Environment 08.05.23

Bretscher D., Wüst-Galley C., Ammann C., Kupper T., Schenker S., Eggli D., Meyer L., Bock M.

Agroscope compiles annually updated inventories and projections for Swiss agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. With the change to reporting under the Paris Agreement, new bases for calculation must be taken into account. Despite this, the overall picture for agriculture remains largely unchanged.

Agroscope, Federal Office for the Environment FOEN

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?

Plant production 24.04.23

Perich G., Turkoglu M. O., Graf L. V., Wegner J. D., Aasen H., Walter A., Liebisch F.

With the help of satellite data, yields can be estimated both over a wide area and at individual field level. This is also possible in small-scale Swiss agriculture, as shown by a team consisting of ETH Zürich, the University of Zurich and Agroscope.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich, University of Zurich

Food 20.04.23

Mann S., Loginova D.

Agroscope researchers analysed the dietary trends of the different generations in Switzerland. The findings help with the preparation of more-accurate dietary forecasts.

Plant production 19.04.23

Bütikofer N., Vonlanthen T., Hiltbrunner J., Holzkämper A. und Calanca P.

Suitable both as food for humans and as livestock feed, sorghum thrives even in an increasingly dry climate. Agroscope has developed maps showing the potential growing areas for silage- and grain sorghum.

Animal production 13.04.23

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?

Plant production 12.04.23

Camp C., Tran D., Farinet R.

The energy expenditure for staggered greenhouse tomato production would be twice as high as that of the current means of production with no appreciable increase in yield. Even so, the current means of production might benefit from LED lighting.

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

Plant production 03.04.23

Bänziger I., Hebeisen H., Amrein D., Vogelgsang S., Sullam K.

Previously, grain diseases transmitted by seed were controlled with synthetic-chemical seed dressings. However, if seed is healthy, no treatment is necessary. As the demand for pesticide-free grain increases, professional seed inspection is gaining importance.

Environment 30.03.23

Wang Y., Finger R.

Pest prevention plays an important role in reducing pesticide use. Nevertheless, the use of such measures is below the social optimum. A generally cautious attitude towards risk and adoption of other risk management measures hinder farmers' prevention efforts.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Environment 23.03.23

Schleiffer M., Speiser B.

A review on the current scientific literature showed that pesticides are widely present in soils, water and air and have a potential to contaminate organic produce. These contamination pathways must be considered when findings of pesticide residues are investigated.

Food 22.03.23

Kopf-Bolanz K.A., Villarreal Cruz M.C., Walther B., Denkel C., Guggisberg D.

The number of plant-based beverages on supermarket shelves is constantly increasing. The physicochemical properties of these beverages, such as their colour or foamability, vary according to the plant they are made from, and determine their use as an alternative to milk.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL

Environment 20.03.23

Korkaric M., Lehto M., Poiger T., de Baan L., Mathis M., Ammann L., Hanke I., Balmer M., Blom J.F.

Agroscope has developed risk indicators which show the development of risks associated with the use of plant protection products for important environmental compartments, describe the risk potential of the active substances and take account of legal measures for risk mitigation.

Food 09.03.23

von Ah U., Arias-Roth E.

Selected microorganisms extend the shelf-life of foods, thereby contributing to a reduction in food waste. In a study of the literature, Agroscope highlighted the important role of protective cultures and fermentation.

Agricultural economics 02.03.23

Pedolin D., Jan P., Roesch A., Six J., Nemecek T.

Do farmers who produce in environmentally friendly ways earn less income? As an Agroscope study shows, this needs not be the case, and farmers can actually generate more revenue by protecting the environment.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Plant production 22.02.23

Frick R., Suter D., Hirschi H, Dereuder E., Coudry C.

In temporary grassland, alfalfa is used mainly in three-year mixtures for dry locations. Following recent variety trials, Agroscope has added the new varieties Nutrix and Andantino to the list of recommended forage plants for 2023–2024.

Food 21.02.23

Ammann J., Arbenz A., Mack G., Nemecek T., El Benni N.

It’s not easy to change eating habits. In a study of the literature, Agroscope investigated which policy measures favour a sustainable diet. Market-oriented tools and bans prove effective, but are fairly unpopular.

Plant production 13.02.23

Clémence S., Zorn A.

Oats, triticale, hull-less barley, lupin, faba beans and buckwheat are rarely cultivated. The EU project CROPDIVA intends to change that. Agroscope analyses the value chains of four of these crops in order to promote their cultivation and processing.

Agricultural economics 07.02.23

Heitkämper K., Reissig L., Glück S., Mann S.

A hoeing and spot-spraying device enables huge savings in the use of plant protection products. Although costs are higher than for conventional plant protection devices, motivated farm managers give this innovative technology genuine prospects for the future.

Agricultural economics 02.02.23

Ritzel C., Hoop D., Portmann M., Wallner A. und Mack G.

Thanks to their unique landscapes, the 15 regional nature parks, the majority of which are located in the (pre-)Alps and in the Jura Arc, feature as tourist attractions. But do the parks also provide economic value-added for local agriculture?

Environment 27.01.23

Schaub S., Elmiger N., Ghazoul J., Finger R

Those wishing to promote biodiversity in agriculture by means of result-based schemes need meaningful indicators. An overview of proposed and used indicators highlights developments and challenges.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Environment 20.01.23

Beal T., Gardner C.D., Herrero M., Iannotti L.L., Merbold L., Nordhagen S., Mottet A.

Foods of animal origin – friend or foe? It all depends on the needs of consumers and on local production conditions, as shown by a major review in which Agroscope took part.

Agroscope, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, University of California, Stanford University School of Medicine, Cornell University, Washington University, FAO

Environment 19.01.23

Spiess E., Humphrys C., Liebisch F., Prasuhn V., Neuweiler R.

In vegetable production it is usual to leave crop residues on the field. Measurements carried out by Agroscope researchers show that removing these residues significantly reduces nitrate leaching.

Agricultural economics 16.01.23

To balance their nutrient cycles, Swiss farms export surplus farmyard manure to farms with free uptake capacities or to composting and anaerobic digestion facilities. Between 2015 and 2020 the volumes of organic manure and recycled fertilisers transported rose significantly, with a consequent increase in transport costs.