Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

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.

Agroscope

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?

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 13.04.23

Morel I.

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?

Agroscope

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

Animal production 20.12.22

Holzer S., Keller M., Humbert F.-L., Laube D., Burren A. und Herholz C.

Stable climate has an important impact on the respiratory health of horses. In a study on indoor climate quality, three different ventilation systems were tested.

BFH-HAFL, Direction des institutions, de l’agriculture et des forêts (DIAF), B+M AGROTECH

Animal production 14.11.22

Gazzarin C., Blättler T., Bütler A., Durgiai B. und Schmid D.

Although milk-production oriented (MPO) cow breeds have also become established in the mountain region, farms with the dual-purpose ‘Original Simmental’ breed are proving to be economically viable, with lower costs and higher direct payments making up for lower revenues from milk.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL

Animal production 03.11.22

Bach L., Ammann J., Bruckmaier R. M., Müller U., Umstätter C.

High milk yields before drying-off increase the risk of udder infections during the dry period. An online survey highlights what drying-off methods are currently used and how farmers rate the ‘incomplete milking’ approach for reducing milk yield.

Agroscope, University of Bern, Thünen-Institut, Universität Bonn

Animal production 05.05.22

Herholz C., Siegwart J., Bruckmaier R.M., Rytz E., Lamon I., Muhr M. und Stirnimann R.

In both sport and alternative agriculture, horses are once again being used as draught animals. Efficient power transmission plays an important role in the wellbeing of draught horses.

BFH-HAFL, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, IG Arbeitspferde Schweiz

Animal production 28.04.22

Straub U.

A study by Vetsuisse shows that the outdoor veal calf concept reduces antibiotic consumption in calf fattening by 80%. AGRIDEA has examined the economic viability of outdoor veal calf production and concludes that it cannot compete with conventional veal calf fattening.

Agridea

Animal production 12.04.22

Wasem D. und Probst S.

In contrast to pigs, dairy cattle are as yet rarely fed protein-reduced diets. Studies show that there is also potential for protein savings in cattle, and thus for reducing ammonia emissions.

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 10.02.22

Schori F. and Münger A.

Forestomach acidosis can impair nutrient utilisation and uptake in dairy cows. Agroscope tested the functioning of two makes of measurement boluses that record pH in the forestomach of cows.

Agroscope

Animal production 27.01.22

Schori F. und Münger A.

Agroscope investigated the effects on dairy cows of an all-herbage ration compared with a concentrate-supplemented ration. The study shows that an all-herbage ration is possible for suitable dairy cow types.

Agroscope

Animal production 22.11.21

Kast C. and Kilchenmann V.

Pesticides accumulate in beeswax and pose a risk to the development of bee larvae. In an in vitro study, Agroscope evaluated the toxicity of pesticides in beeswax

Agroscope

Animal production 10.11.21

Scriba M. F. and Wechsler B.

Fattening pigs suffer when it is hot. Timely provision of cooling measures increases both animal welfare and success in pig fattening. Researchers at Agroscope examined which indicators reliably indicate heat stress in fattening pigs.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs

Animal production 06.10.21

Decker A., Zähner M., Dohme-Meier F., Böttger C., Münger A., Heimo D., Schrade S.

Excess nitrogen is excreted in the urine and leads to higher ammonia emissions. Nitrogen in the urine of dairy cows can be estimated based on the urea content of their milk. This information can be used to optimise protein feeding.

Agroscope

Animal production 20.09.21

Mann S.

Antibiotic use could be curtailed through incentives that improve animal health. Most farmers are open to direct payments in support of this.

Agroscope

Animal production 20.05.21

Bugnon A., Viñals R., Abbet C., Chevassus G., Bohnenblust M., Rad M. S., Rieder S., Droz B., Charrière J.-D und Thiran J.-Ph.

A simple smartphone could soon become an essential ally for beekeepers in their battle to control the varroa mite. A mobile application for identifying and counting these tiny parasites in the hive – the first of its kind in Switzerland – has just been developed.

Agroscope, ApiZoom, EPFL, Identitas AG

Animal production 28.04.21

Janssens T., Regazzoni L. and Tschudi F.

Swiss aquaculture is enjoying strong growth. However, in order to develop sustainably, the sector needs to be better organised. This study analyses the current situation and proposes a concept for the development of a coordination centre.

BFH-HAFL, ZHAW

Animal production 31.03.21

Köke T., Ineichen S., Grenz J. and Reidy B.

Dairy farms are responsible for a significant proportion of greenhouse gases from agriculture. In order to quantify emissions at farm level and identify suitable emissions reduction measures, HAFL researchers developed a model for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms.

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 22.03.21

Morel I., Delagarde R., Dufey P.-A., Schmid E., Aragon A., Sonet C. and Huguenin-Elie O.

An optimum grassland botanical composition is a key element of the efficient feeding of ruminants. The fattening cattle in this trial clearly preferred a grass/clover/chicory mixture to pure ryegrass.

Agroscope, INRAE

Animal production 15.03.21

Augsburger C., Rombach M. and Boessinger M.

The RumiWatch system is a smart farming tool, which enables an accurate detection of eating and rumination behaviours performed by dairy cows. The aim of the researchers was to check, if the system that was already established in science for its practical usage.

Agridea

Animal production 10.12.20

Lerch S., Oberson J.-L., Silacci P. and Morel I.

The Swiss ‘Green Book’ feeding recommendations for fattening cattle are no longer suitable for today’s animals and current production conditions. An updating of datasets for system calibration is essential.

Agroscope

Animal production 26.11.20

Pauler C.M., Schneider M.K

The pastures of low-productive Highland Cattle are particularly species-rich because of their relatively low weight, undemandingness and slowness. This is borne out by Agroscope and AgroVet Strickhof studies.

Agroscope, AgroVet-Strickhof

Animal production 24.11.20

Wasem D., Probst S.

Livestock farming is sometimes criticised for creating competition between feed and food production. However, the animals fulfil an important function by recycling plant by-products and thus closing nutrient cycles.

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 20.11.20

Herholz C., Kocher J., Küng P.

In equine husbandry, dust and ammonia emmissions have an important impact on respiratory health. Eight different bedding materials were tested for these emissions using a standardized method.

BFH-HAFL, MUUTU AG

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.

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

Archive

On-Farm Slaughter – Less Stress, More Animal Welfare

Sainfoin – an Alternative to Clover/Grass Mixtures When Feeding Green Fodder to Dairy Cows?

How to Allocate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Dairy Production

Undersupply of Protein to Suckler Cows: What Are the Implications?

Suckler Cows May Transfer Organic Pollutants to their Offspring: How Does This Process Work?

Horsekeeping: Influence of Three different Ventilation Systems on Stable Climate

Mountain Milk Production with Dual-Purpose Cows: Outdated Tradition or Modern Moneyspinner?

Dairy Cows: Swiss Farms Surveyed on Drying-off Practice

Use of Horses: Performance and Welfare in Working Horses – a Pilot Study

The Outdoor Veal Calf Concept Reduces the Use of Antibiotics – Is It Cost-Effective as Well?

Feeding Dairy Cows a Protein-Reduced Diet and Reducing Ammonia Emissions

Assessment of Two Boluses for Measuring pH in the Forestomachs of Cows

How Do Today’s Dairy Cows Respond to an All-Herbage Ration?

Pesticides in Beeswax: How Toxic Are They to Honey Bee Larvae?

Heat Stress in Fattening Pigs: Which Indicators Can Reveal Reduced Welfare?

Optimising Protein Feeding with the Help of Milk Urea Content

Should Antibiotic Use Be Reduced through Incentives?

Beekeeping – A Mobile Application for Controlling the Varroa Mite

Creating a Coordination Centre for Swiss Aquaculture

KLIR: A Model for Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Dairy Farms

Bovine Appetite Is Stimulated by Multi-Species Herbage Mixtures

The RumiWatch System: Automated Feeding and Health Monitoring for Dairy Cows

‘Green Book’ Guidelines No Longer Suitable for Estimating Net Energy Requirements for Beef Production

Not All Cows Are Alike: Cattle Breed Affects Pasture Vegetation and Diversity

Livestock Recycle By-Products from the Food Industry

Equine Health: Dust and Ammonia Emissions from Eight Different Bedding Materials

Is 100%-Organic Feeding for Piglets Possible?

Supplement Improves Growth in Low-Birthweight Piglets

What Does an Individual Cow Consume on the Pasture?

How Digitised are Swiss Plant Production Farms?