Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

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.

FiBL

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.

Agroscope

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

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…

Agroscope

Animal production 04.06.20

T. Groher, K. Heitkämper, C. Umstätter

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

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.

Agroscope

Animal production 21.01.20

Schlegel P., Willi C., Vollenweider O. and Morel I.

Farms operate with a balanced nutrient cycle. Agroscope has adjusted beef-cattle reference values to the latest advances in animal production. The said values can be used for fertilisation planning and are to be used for the assessment of the farm- based nutrient cycle.