Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Zosso C., Thiébaud E., Huber S., Bretscher D.

Greenhouse gas calculators can assist in identifying measures to reduce emissions on farms and in quantifying the effect these measures can have. For this to be successful, it is essential to know the scope and limitations of greenhouse gas calculators.

Agroscope, dss+, Flury&Giuliani GmbH

Environment 18.04.24

Herzog C., Meier E.S., Schneuwly J., Birrer S., Roth T., Knop E.

Switzerland’s agricultural landscape harbours a great variety of species and habitats, some of which are endangered. This study sheds light on various direct and indirect, positive and negative factors influencing biodiversity.

Agroscope, Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach, Hintermann & Weber AG

Plant production 16.04.24

Verdenal T., Spring J.-L., Dienes-Nagy Á., Bieri S., Zufferey V.

Delaying the timing of the first hedge trimming is of limited technical value in vineyard canopy management. Its impact on lateral shoot growth and must composition is minimal.

Agroscope

Animal production 15.04.24

Heurtault J., Hiscocks S., Létourneau-Montminy M.P, Schlegel P.

Sows mobilise body reserves of phosphorus during lactation and replenish these reserves during gestation. Considering this dynamic allows us to envisage a reduction in dietary intake of phosphorus during lactation, and hence, of excretion into the environment.

Agroscope, University of Laval, AB Vista

Environment 02.04.24

Klötzli J., Suter M., Beaumont D., Kolmanič A., Leskovšek R., Schaffner U., Storkey J., Lüscher A.

Broad-leaved dock is a problematic weed in permanent meadows and pastures. A European study led by Agroscope highlights the risk factors and recommends preventive measures.

Agroscope

Food 26.03.24

Balmer M.E., Schaller U., Krauss J., Geiser H.C., Poiger T.

Plant protection products contain active substances and co-formulants. Agroscope studied the residues of co-formulants on treated plants for the first time, thereby furnishing the basis for assessing risks posed to consumers.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)

Agricultural economics 25.03.24

Gazzarin Ch., Bütler A.

Beef can be produced in various ways. Intensive fattening is more productive and extensive organic pasture fattening achieves higher prices – but which is more profitable? Agroscope compared the two production systems to learn the answer.

Agroscope

Plant production 19.03.24

Verdenal T., Spring J.-L., Dienes-Nagy Á., Bourdin G. und Zufferey V.

The effectiveness of an application of foliar nitrogen at veraison depends on the initial level of vine nitrogen deficiency, an Agroscope study has shown. The threshold levels of assimilable nitrogen deficiency in the grape must are validated for Chardonnay but still need to be confirmed for Sauvignon Blanc.

Agroscope

Environment 18.03.24

Klaus V. H., Jehle A., Richter F., Buchmann N., Knop E., Lüscher G.

Organic farming has a positive effect on plant diversity in Swiss grassland, but ecological focus areas are needed support plant diversity more broadly.

Agroscope

Animal production 14.03.24

Scheurer A., Dörig C. A., Braillard M., Purtschert L., Keil N.

Professionally managed dairy sheep and dairy goat farms are increasingly using mixed rations. The composition of rations fed in practice and the resulting milk yield potential were analysed.

BFH-HAFL, Agroscope

Agricultural economics 12.03.24

Ammann J., Mack G., Irek J., Finger R., El Benni N.

Agroscope researchers conducted an online survey to investigate the attitudes of Swiss consumers to agricultural policy goals in all three language regions. The results should help better shape agricultural policy.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Agricultural economics 26.02.24

Widmer J., Christ B., Grenz J., Norgrove L.

Agrivoltaics combines energy generation and agricultural production on the same land. Although this system is eliciting increasing interest, its success depends on numerous factors and the most compatible crops have yet to be identified.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL

Animal production 21.02.24

Manzocchi E., Huguenin-Elie O., Probo M., Wyss U.

While botanical composition, growth cycle and phenological stage are integral factors, they are not the sole determinants of the quality of grass silages from intensively managed permanent meadows.

Agroscope

Food 20.02.24

von Ah U., Freimoser F.

Metschnikowia pulcherrima is a naturally occurring yeast with applications in agriculture, the food industry and biotechnology. Agroscope is investigating this yeast in particular with regard to biocontrol applications in plant protection.

Agroscope

Plant production 14.02.24

Zufferey V., Delabays N., Verdenal T., Reynard J.- S., Dienes A., Belcher S., Lorenzini F., Bieri S., Blackford M., Bourdin G., Spangenberg J.-E., Carlen C., Spring J.-L.

Soil management lies at the heart of major global warming and sustainable viticulture issues. In this context, inter-row plant cover in vineyards comes with its share of benefits and drawbacks.

Agroscope

Environment 13.02.24

Gazzarin Ch., Jan P.

Grass-based beef production is markedly less productive than intensive year-round indoor-housing system-based production. Agroscope experts therefore studied how grass-based farms can produce both economically and in an ecologically sound manner.

Agroscope

Environment 09.02.24

Dubuis P.-H., Droz M., Melgar A., Zürcher U.A., Zarn J. A., Gindro K., König S.L.B.

Orchard crop spraying using unmanned aerial spraying systems commonly referred to as drones can lead to drift, posing a risk to residents and bystanders. The study shows that the risks arising from this are taken into account by the current registration process.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)

Animal production 05.02.24

Mazzoleni S., Tretola M., Luciano A., Lin P., Pinotti L., Bee G.

Food that is unsuitable for human consumption does not affect the growth performance or carcass composition of pigs to which it is fed. This makes it a promising solution for reducing food waste.

Agroscope, University of Milan

Agricultural economics 01.02.24

Saleh R., Ehlers M.

How do farmers experience social sustainability on their farms? As an Agroscope study shows, this depends on farmers’ identities and farm types.

Agroscope

Environment 30.01.24

Luka H., Blick T., Lenzin H., Luka Stan A., Reinbacher L., Pfifner L.

Trials conducted by FiBL have shown that conversion to organic farming also promotes endangered Red List species such as the carabid beetle species Amara tricuspidata. This species and other species consume seeds of forbs and grasses and thus supports natural weed control.

FiBL, University of Basel

Animal production 29.01.24

Herholz C., Siegwart J., Nussbaum M., Studer M. H., Burgos S.

Horses are ridden or driven on a variety of surfaces, which differently absorb the impact forces exerted on hooves, limbs and the horse's entire body. Objective measurement of the functional properties of equestrian arena surfaces is therefore of great importance.

BFH-HAFL

Environment 12.01.24

Nemecek Th., Roesch A., Bystricky M., Jeanneret Ph., Lansche J., Stüssi M., Gaillard G.

The SALCA life cycle assessment method was comprehensively updated in light of new needs, systematically documented and reviewed by external specialists. This will allow a wide range of research issues in the agriculture and food sector to be addressed.

Agroscope

Plant production 11.01.24

Reynard J.- S., Spring J.-L., Verdenal T., Zufferey V., Bourdin G., Bieri S., Carlen C., Crettenand F., Favre G.

A programme has been launched for safeguarding the genetic diversity of Arvine, a grape variety formerly cultivated in Valais. Directed selection would make it possible to exploit this variety's biodiversity and to meet the ecological and economic challenges of the future.

Agroscope, Kanton Wallis, Amt für Rebbau und Wein

Agricultural economics 04.01.24

Tonini A., Decreux Y.

Cheese stands out as one of the main Swiss agricultural trade offensive interests. Outside the EU, the USA are an important export destination. The CAPRI model allows to assess the impact of a free trade agreement for cheese between the USA and CH.

FOAG

Environment 19.12.23

Keel S.G., Bretscher D., Leifeld J., von Ow A., Wüst-Galley C.

Net zero emission targets can only be achieved by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Agroscope has modelled soil carbon storage, food production and agricultural greenhouse gas emission trends for Switzerland.

Agroscope

Animal production 07.12.23

Stettler A., Probst S.

Livestock can convert grassland and by-products into valuable food. But how many animals would Switzerland need if arable land were primarily used for food production instead of animal feed?

BFH-HAFL

Environment 04.12.23

Bender S.F., Schulz S., Martínez-Cuesta R., Laughlin R.J., Kublik S., Pfeiffer-Zakharova K., Vestergaard G., Hartman K., Parladé E., Römbke J., Watson C.J., Schloter M., van der Heijden M.G.A.

Nutrient losses in agricultural production are a global problem. A lysimeter test now shows that soil organisms can make a major contribution to increasing nutrient use efficiency in arable farming and reducing nutrient losses.

Agroscope

Environment 01.12.23

Gilgen A., Felder R., Baumgartner S., Herzog F., Jeanneret P., Séchaud R., Paunovic S., Merbold L.

Agroscope researchers tested the FAO method for assessing the agroecological status of farms in Switzerland for the first time, demonstrating the advantages of a holistic evaluation as well as the limits of the tool.

Agroscope

Animal production 29.11.23

Rödiger M., Home R., Walkenhorst M.

Which stakeholders in the dairy sector have an influence on the productive life of dairy cows? Research results from FiBL and Agroscope suggest that broad-based cooperation is needed to create structures for a longer productive life.

Agroscope, FiBL

Agricultural economics 24.11.23

Tarruella M., Huber R., Mack G., El Benni N., Finger R.

Policies for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are both more effective and more efficient when set at regional rather than individual-farm level. This approach can help us achieve climate targets in a more cost-efficient manner.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Archive

Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Calculator in Practice: Scope and Limitations

Effects of Selected Factors on Biodiversity in Swiss Agricultural Landscapes

Leaf Canopy Management in Viticulture: Timing of the First Hedge Trimming

Dynamics of Bone Mineralisation in Sows and Phosphorus Excretion

How to Limit the Spread of Broad-Leaved Dock

Co-formulants in Plant Protection Products and their Residues in Food

How Cost-Efficient is Organic Pasture Fattening?

Impact of foliar nitrogen supplementation on Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines

Higher Plant Diversity in Organic Ecological Focus Areas

Forage-Based Mixed Rations for Dairy Sheep and Dairy Goats in Practice

Consumers See Animal Welfare as a Key Agricultural Policy Goal

What Are the Most Promising Crops for an Agrivoltaic System?

Quality of Silages from Intensively Managed Permanent Meadows

The Many Uses of the ‘Most Beautiful’ Yeast, Metschikowia pulcherrima

Impact of Soil Management Methods in Vineyards

Producing Beef Economically on Grassland while Promoting Biodiversity

Plant Protection Treatment by Drones: Risks for Residents?

Using Former Food Products as Pig Feed Reduces Food Waste

Farmers’ Identity and Farm Type Determine Their Perception of Social Sustainability

Conversion to Organics – Promotion of Species Diversity Can Often Only Be Detected After Some Considerable Time

Functional Properties of Equestrian Arena Surfaces: Temporal and Spatial Variations

SALCA Method Updated for more Accurate, Flexible and Comparable Environmental Assessments

Safeguarding the Genetic Diversity of Arvine

Swiss Cheese Export Potential and Future Opportunities

Various Factors Limit Soil Carbon Storage Potential

How Much Livestock Does Switzerland Need for Optimal Land Use?

Impoverished Soil Life Reduces Nutrient Efficiency and Increases Environmental Pollution

How Can We Assess the Agroecological Status of Swiss Farms?

Extending the Productive Life of Dairy Cows: Who Has a Say?

Regional rather than Individual-Farm Targets for Climate-Change Mitigation