Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Microalgae do not need soil and produce more biomass than crops in the same period of time. The main applications of microalgae are currently food supplements, cosmetic products, animal feed and biofuels.

Agroscope, Danish Technological Institute, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO)

Plant production 19.02.25

A study conducted by Agroscope in collaboration with IP-Suisse, DSP and FFB-Group shows that wheat variety mixtures generally perform better and are more stable than varieties grown in pure stands. Recommendations are made for practical applications.

Agroscope, Delley seeds and plants Ltd, IP-SUISSE, Fresh Food & Beverage Group AG

Animal production 17.02.25

For the milk production systems in Switzerland, the weights of the traits in the total breeding value are derived using a new method that takes into account not only the revenue but also the direct costs.

BFH-HAFL

Food 12.02.25

The results of the 2023 beef quality survey have been released. They show that the quality of Swiss meat overall is highly satisfactory, in terms of nutrition as well as technological and sensorial aspects.

Agroscope, Proviande

Environment 10.02.25

Agroscope researchers conducted a literature review to summarise which measures are most effective in reducing food waste. Their findings contribute to better identification and implementation of effective interventions.

Agroscope

Animal production 30.01.25

The green alder encroachment of summer pastures reduces biodiversity, forage quality, and landscape attractiveness. Goat grazing can help limit this process and restore pasture vegetation.

Agroscope, ESA, Angers

Agricultural economics 20.01.25

A new study by Agroscope and the ETH shows that there is no rural-urban divide in the prioritisation of agricultural policy goals. From very rural to very urban, the Swiss population puts economic objectives before environmental ones.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Agricultural economics 14.01.25

A global review of the literature shows that successful strategies for promoting organic agriculture vary from one region to another and require a combination of measures, e.g economic incentives coupled with educational and informational campaigns.

Agroscope, FiBL, University of Bonn, Production Economics Group

Environment 19.12.24

Steering levies can change consumer behaviour. An Agroscope study focusing on a sustainability levy on food showed that social sustainability and animal welfare levies are most likely to meet with acceptance.

Agroscope

Plant production 17.12.24

A new model for predicting herbage biomass in pastures uses UAV-based image data and machine learning. The method promises greater accuracy and flexibility compared to conventional measurement methods.

BFH-HAFL

Environment 16.12.24

A site specific nitrogen fertilisation requirement can be calculated with the help of the ‘corrected norms’ method. The method was applied and evaluated in the AgroCO2ncept project in the Zurich Wine Country, where it demonstrated substantial nitrogen-saving potential.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 12.12.24

Geographical indications are essential for international cheese trading. A protected name such as Roquefort achieves a higher price premium than a compound name such as Gouda Holland where the cheese type (Gouda) itself is not protected.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 10.12.24

Fluctuations in the price of fertilisers and agricultural products influence the economic efficiency of fertiliser use. This can create economic incentives for reducing fertiliser use.

Agroscope

Plant production 05.12.24

In the PestiRed project, farmers test agroecological measures for reducing the use of chemical plant-protection products. Agroscope identified and characterised the weed flora of wheat, barley and oilseed rape.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 03.12.24

To date, the perceived extent of the freedom of action of farmers has rarely been used to evaluate the social sustainability of farms. Now, however, a new indicator has been developed that illustrates the scope for action of family farms in terms of consumption and production.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 29.11.24

Agroscope analysed the economic situation of organic fattening-pig production in Switzerland. The study shows that six of the ten farms examined – particularly the larger ones – can produce profitably.

Agroscope

Environment 25.11.24

The intensification of agriculture has greatly changed Europe's agroecosystems, with major implications for biodiversity. An overview study by Agroscope and the Swiss Ornithological Institute identifies the most important areas for future research with a view to minimising the uncertainties of currently available knowledge.

Agroscope, Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach

Environment 20.11.24

To prevent biodiversity decline, Swiss farms are implementing 19.3% of their utilised agricultural area as ecological focus areas (EFA). It appears that organic farms implement considerably more and qualitatively better EFAs than do PEP farms.

FiBL, Agroscope

Environment 12.11.24

An Agroscope study shows that Swiss farmers have different soil management priorities. Considering these may increase the effectiveness of information and policy measures to promote sustainable soil management.

Agroscope, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)

Food 07.11.24

The microbial composition of the sourdough culture defines the character of the bread baked from it. A sourdough can increase the health-promoting characteristics of bread when combined with specific types of flour and suitable processing parameters.

Agroscope

Plant production 06.11.24

Fast-growing Westerwold ryegrass delivers valuable high yields on annual temporary leys and in forage intercropping. Based on the most recent variety trials, Agroscope can now recommend three new multi-cut varieties and earmark a single-cut variety for recommendation.

Agroscope

Environment 30.10.24

Swiss farms must decide on the extent to which they produce agricultural goods and provide biodiversity services. Agroscope has analysed and typified the diversity of farm-level land-use patterns.

Agroscope

Plant production 23.10.24

Integrated weed management with reduced tillage and reduced herbicide inputs can successfully control weeds in wheat and prevent yield loss.

Agroscope, INRAE

Environment 21.10.24

Large quantities of potatoes are rejected due to visual defects. For this reason, Agroscope researchers investigated how consumers can be motivated to purchase visually suboptimal potatoes.

Agroscope

Animal production 16.10.24

The genotype information of over 1,000 horses reveals that the Franches-Montagnes can be distinguished from other historically introgressed breeds. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated, that this kind of information can also be applied to manage the inbreeding within the population.

Agroscope, University of Zurich, ISME, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, INRAE, University of Sydney

Plant production 15.10.24

Timothy and meadow fescue are key components of high-performance mixtures for forage production. Agroscope can now recommend one new variety of timothy and earmark a meadow fescue for recommendation based on variety tests conducted from 2021 to 2023.

Agroscope

Plant production 08.10.24

Spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) is in increasing demand from consumers and bakeries. Linking phenotypic traits to the underlying genetic information of each variety helps us to better categorise the spelt varieties in Switzerland.

Agroscope, University of Zurich, University of Salamanca, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Delley seeds and plants Ltd

Animal production 04.10.24

Alpine pastures provide forage for cattle, storage for CO2, food for pollinators, a habitat for countless plants, and fascinate us with their beauty. The extent to which these services are provided depends on location, climate – and cows.

Agroscope

Environment 01.10.24

A mineral soil cover combined with a rise in the water table can mitigate the loss of organic carbon in cultivated peatlands. At the same time, it would allow agricultural productivity to be maintained.

Agroscope, University of Basel

Animal production 26.09.24

A current overview of paratuberculosis describes this chronic disease of cattle, shows how it is being controlled internationally and in Switzerland, and explains why this is important.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), University of Bern

Archive

Microalgae – Tiny Creatures with Great Economic Potential

Yield, Quality and Stability: Wheat Variety Mixtures Have Potential

Economic Optimisation of Dairy Cattle Breeding

Quality of Swiss Beef Confirmed by 2023 Survey

A Systematic Literature Review of Impactful Food Waste Interventions

Green Alder Encroachment Control: Combining Mechanical Clearing with Goat Grazing

No Evidence of Urban-Rural Divide in the Prioritisation of Agricultural Policy Goals

How Can Organic Farming Be Scaled Up Successfully?

Sustainability Levies: Which Are Preferred?

Precise herbage biomass estimation on pastures using a UAV-based model

Nitrogen-Saving Potential through the Application of Corrected Fertilisation Standards

Geographical Indications Affect Import and Export Prices

How Prices and Fertiliser Use Can Be Linked

Weed Flora in Wheat, Barley and Oilseed Rape with Reduced Herbicide Use

Scope of Action of Family Farms

Organic Pig Fattening Pays Off for Large Farms

Agriculture and Biodiversity: Systematic Overview Identifies Important Avenues for Future Research

What are Farms in Switzerland Doing to Preserve Biodiversity?

Sustainable Soil Management Requires a Mixture of Support Measures

The Highly Diverse and Nutrient-Rich Inner Life of Sourdough Bread

Westerwold Ryegrass: Three New Recommendations and One Candidate for the Variety List

Agricultural Production and Biodiversity Conservation: Four Typical Land-Use Patterns

Reducing Tillage and Herbicide Use: Can Weed-Induced Crop Yield Losses Be Limited?

Information Framing Makes Visually Suboptimal Potatoes more Appealing

The DNA of Franches-Montagnes Horses Reveals the Origin of the Breed

Timothy and Meadow Fescue: One New Recommendation, One New Candidate

What is Typical Spelt and How Do We Distinguish it From Modern Wheat-Spelt Intercrosses in Switzerland?

It’s Not All About Cheese: Cows and Hikers are Not the Only Ones to Benefit from Alpine Pastures

Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Drained Peatlands – Is It Possible?

Paratuberculosis in Cattle: International Evolution and Situation in Switzerland