Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

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.

FiBL

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

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?

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 16.01.23

Anke Möhring

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.

Agroscope

Environment 11.01.23

Zorn A., Clémence S.

Which measures are suitable for significantly reducing pesticide use in field crops? In the PestiRed project, farmers rate the implemented measures as largely positive; with a differentiated result for economic efficiency.

Agroscope

Archive

What impact has environmental pesticide contamination on the organic food chain?

Plant-based Beverages and Cow’s Milk: a Comparison of Physico-chemical Properties

Risk Indicators for Plant Protection Products: Further Analyses for Calculation

Biopreservation – the Forgotten Role of Fermentation

Great potential for environmentally friendly and profitable production

Temporary grassland: two new alfalfa varieties recommended

What Measures Promote a Sustainable Diet?

From Niche Crop to Mainstream Success

Plant Protection Robots in Vegetable Farming: Labour, Costs, Social Aspects and Ecology

Swiss Parks – an Economic Success Story for Local Farms?

Biodiversity Indicators for Result-based Agri-environmental Schemes: an Overview

How Foods of Animal Origin Can Contribute to a Healthy, Sustainable Diet

Vegetable Production: Striking Reduction in Nitrate Leaching without Crop Residues

Swiss Farmyard-Manure Market: Transports on the Rise

Plant-Protection Products in Field Crops: Which Alternatives Have Potential?