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Other 10.11.20

Pfister M., Feller S., Stöckli L.

The training programme for farmworkers imparts broad skills to academically weak learners. What chances do they have on the labour market today and in the future and how do they succeed in making the transition to further training?

Plant production 06.11.20

R. Frick, D. Suter, E. Dereuder and H. Hirschi

Tall fescue is valued as a high-yielding, robust forage grass. For ley farming, fine-leaved, nutritious varieties which are well-liked by livestock are in demand. Agroscope’s most recent variety test has yielded two new top varieties.

Plant production 28.10.20

Bétrix C.-A., Schumpp O., Schori A., Brodard J., Dubuis N., De Groote J.-C., Bussereau F.

Despite its focus on other, higher-priority criteria, the soybean breeding programme in Switzerland has yielded varieties that are tolerant of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) – the most serious of the viral diseases.

Environment 22.10.20

Bystricky M., Nemecek T., Gaillard G.

In Switzerland, implementing the Drinking-Water Initiative would have positive consequences for the environment, but more food would have to be imported. A life-cycle assessment study by Agroscope analyses the overall impact.

Plant production 08.10.20

Visse-Mansiaux M., Tallant M., Curty F., Schwärzel R., Brostaux Y. and Dupuis B.

Chlorpropham (CIPC), the main sprout suppressant used when storing commercial potatoes, is now prohibited in Switzerland. Agroscope tested alternative substances in order to guarantee the production of indigenous chips and crisps.

Agroscope, fenaco, Université de Liège

Animal production 08.10.20

Quander-Stoll N., Leubin M., Holinger M., Früh B. and Leiber F.

100%-organic feeding of piglets has been discussed for a long time. A feeding trial on commercial farms shows that completely organic diets are suitable for piglets, and that their introduction is facilitated by a longer suckling period.

Environment 29.09.20

Korkaric M., Hanke I., Grossar D., Neuweiler R., Christ B., Wirth J., Hochstrasser M., Dubuis P.-H., Kuster T., Breitenmoser S., Egger B., Perren S., Schürch S., Aldrich A., Jeker L., Poiger T., Daniel O.

Agroscope examined whether it is possible to forgo the use of PPPs with a high risk potential for the environment. The results show that this would make effective crop protection more difficult, especially for field and vegetable crops, but also in organic farming.

Environment 25.09.20

Albrecht M. et al.

Sown wildflower strips improve pest control, and diverse, perennial strips also improve pollination services. Hedgerows in Switzerland yielded good results, while internationally effects were inconsistent. The effects on yield were variable.

Food 18.09.20

Bachmann H.-P., Fröhlich M.-T., Bisig W.

A strong immune system is important for health. Foods that are rich in propionic acid, such as Emmental cheese, have a supportive effect, and are a possible alternative to compounds with synthetically produced propionic acid.

Environment 31.08.20

Maurer C., Müller D., Lanfranchi M., Weisskopf P., Oberholzer H., Walder F.

Microbial activity in the soil is an indicator of soil health. An analysis of data series from the cantonal soil-monitoring networks over a ten-year period confirms textbook knowledge and shows what we need to look out for.

Agroscope, Amt für Landwirtschaft und Natur Kanton Bern, Abteilung Umwelt Kanton Aargau, Amt für Natur und Umwelt Kanton Graubünden

Environment 25.08.20

Chiaia-Hernández A.C., Scheringer M., Müller A., Stieger G., Wächter D., Keller A., Pintado-Herrera M.G., Lara-Martin P.A., Bucheli T.D. und Hollender J.

Researchers from Agroscope, Eawag and ETH have developed a method for the comprehensive detection of organic pollutant residues in soils and sediments. Initial results show that, in addition to known substances, there are also a number of substances detected for the first time.

Agroscope, Eawag, ETH Zurich, University of Bern

Plant production 11.08.20

Suter D., Frick R., Hirschi H.

White Clover is an important element of intensively used meadows and pastures. Of the 19 varieties tested by Agroscope, two new top varieties came out clear winners for nearly all traits.

Environment 10.08.20

de Baan L., Blom J. F., Daniel O.

Ever decreasing amounts of plant-protection products are being used in field crops; however, the quantity alone does not determine the risk for the environment, as discussed in a new Agroscope study on the use and risk of plant-protection products in Swiss field crops.

Animal production 07.07.20

M. Girard, G. Michel, L. Duval, C. Ducrest and G. Bee

The genetic selection of hyperprolific sows has led to a rise in the number of piglets that are underweight at birth, often runtier and with stunted growth. A study tested the effect of a supplement on their development.

Animal production 02.07.20

Schori F., Heublein C., Südekum K.-H., Gill F. and Dohme-Meier F.

Feed selection on the pasture costs cows time and energy. With the aim of optimised pasture feeding and efficient resource use, the feed selection of Swiss and New Zealand Holstein cows was compared.

Agroscope, Universität Bonn, University of Leeds

Food 19.06.20

Bachmann H.-P., Fröhlich M.-T., Bisig W.

Raw milk and raw-milk products can affect our health in both positive and negative ways. A study conducted by Agroscope summarises current findings from the research literature and classifies the positive effects and risks.

Environment 15.06.20

Kobierska F., Koch U., Kasteel R., Stamm C., Prasuhn V.

Around one-quarter of the utilised agricultural area in Switzerland is drained. Plant-protection products (PPPs) may enter watercourses via this route. Agroscope analysed the influencing factors and evaluated measures against PPP loss.

Agroscope, Eawag

Plant production 09.06.20

Suter D., Frick R., Hirschi H.

Good varieties of smooth-stalked meadowgrass are few in number. The positive results of the variety-testing programme give reason to hope that two new cultivars will soon be added to the range of top varieties.

Plant production 04.06.20

Groher T., Heitkämper K. and Umstätter C.

Digital technologies are fixed features of modern agriculture – but to what extent are they already being used in Switzerland? A survey conducted by Agroscope provides answers to this question. Digital technologies reduce the physical workload of farming and contribute to sustainable field management. They also enable optimised management decisions based on plant- or soil-related…

Animal production 04.06.20

Groher T., Heitkämper K., Umstätter C.

Digital technologies represent an opportunity for the modern management of farms. For this, already available technologies must also be utilised in practice. An Agroscope survey illustrates the status quo of technology use.

Animal production 28.05.20

Schlegel P., Hans-Moëvi M. and Morel I.

Farms operate with a balanced nutrient cycle. Agroscope adjusted the reference values for suckling calves to the latest advances in animal production. The values for feed intake and nutrient excretion are now lower.

Agroscope, Mutterkuh Schweiz

Animal production 25.05.20

Moser S., Willems H., Werder C. and Blättler T.

Protecting sheep from large predators means more work and higher costs for alpine farmers. The economic consequences of the necessary adjustments were investigated in 2017 and 2018 on 13 alpine farms in the cantons of Uri and Valais.

BFH-HAFL, Büro Alpe

Animal production 19.05.20

Schori F.

Grassland-based milk and meat production promotes the site-specific feeding of ruminants. With the AP22+, the reduction of protein supply via concentrates is under discussion. Agroscope studied the effects of limited protein supply.

Plant production 18.05.20

Christian Linder, Johannes Rösti, Fabrice Lorenzini, Pascale Deneulin, René Badertscher and Patrik Kehrli

Kaolin was tested in viticulture to control the dreaded pest Drosophila suzukii. The trials showed that this natural product has a comparable efficacy to conventional insecticides without any adverse effect on wine quality.

Environment 11.05.20

Zemek O., Neuweiler R., Richner W., Liebisch F. and Spiess E.

The risk of nitrate leaching is higher in field vegetable production than in arable crops or grassland. Different species of vegetables have different leaching potentials, which can be reduced through appropriate management.

Other 07.05.20

El Benni N., Ryser U., Rösch M., Mattmann M., Abt F., Paupe L. and Gusset M.

The Swiss agricultural sector currently makes little use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation. A charter launched in 2018 aims to further develop the digitalisation of the Swiss agricultural and food sector and to exploit the potential in the interests of all stakeholders.

Agroscope, Agridea, fenaco, BBZ Arenenberg, Swiss Farmer’s Union SFU, FOAG, others

Animal production 24.04.20

Weber R., Burla J.-B., Jossen M., Wechsler B.

Since 2007, only free-farrowing pens may be used in Switzerland. Since then, litter size has increased significantly. Despite this, piglet mortality during the lactation period has remained stable over the years.

Agricultural economics 12.03.20

Zorn A.

The number of farms with a minimum area of 30 ha is growing, and specialisation – particularly in animal production – is on the increase. Even so, structural change is proceeding at a slower pace in Switzerland than in neighbouring countries.

Animal production 18.02.20

Ollagnier C. and Pradervand N.

Alternatives to antibiotics must be found to combat antibiotic resistance in animal production. The forage plant sainfoin reduces postweaning diarrhoea in piglets, thus reducing the need for antibiotic treatment.

Animal production 13.02.20

Schori F.

Grazing dairy cows is a characteristic feature of Swiss agriculture. In order to use pasture efficiently, the estimation of herbage mass is recommended. Agroscope compared two methods and developed estimation formulas for implementation in practice.