Smart Farming: Public Acceptance Rises When Benefits Are Stressed
Agroscope investigated the Swiss population’s acceptance of digital technologies. Tools and technologies were rated more positively in plant production than in animal husbandry.
Archive
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Mason Bees: Choosing the Right Species for Cherry- and Apple Tree Pollination
Many fruit and vegetable crops are dependent on managed pollinators such as honeybees or bumblebees for pollination. Diversification of these pollinators is essential, since they are not always the best choice for specific crop plants, especially during cold, wet weather.
Net Zero for Agriculture Within the City of Zurich: An Achievable Goal?
How can urban agriculture in Zurich move toward the net-zero target? A FiBL study shows that major restructuring would be necessary to reach the goal – although smaller measures can still help bring it closer.
Swiss Agroforestry Systems Meet Farming Sector Expectations and Support Climate Mitigation
Scientists measured tree growth in four agroforestry systems over a ten-year period and calculated carbon storage from their findings. This data helps us to better understand, plan and implement agroforestry systems, and to assess their climate-change mitigation impact.
The Effect of Subsidies on Woody Plant Encroachment
A new study by Agroscope shows that despite higher subsidies, bushes continue to spread on alpine meadows.
Blueberries Prefer Acid Soils – but too much Acidity is Detrimental
Although there is enormous microbial diversity in blueberry substrate, there is no strong correlation between diversity and yield, according to a new Agroscope study examining the interaction of soil biology and cropping system.
Reducing Food Waste: Concentrates with ‘Former Food Products’ for Dairy Cattle
Feeding food no longer suitable for human consumption (‘former food products’ or FFPs) to dairy cattle is a promising approach for reducing food waste. When included in dairy diets, FFPs do not affect the cow’s metabolism, but do not reduce methane production either.
Potato Yields Are Influenced by the Climate and Genetic Variability
Stable yields are essential to ensure agricultural profitability. Two key measures are needed to limit future losses: adapting cultivation methods to the site and selecting heat- and drought-resistant varieties.
How Resilient is Swiss Summer Farming?
Agroscope and the BFH-HAFL investigated the resilience of summer farms. Although the farms were resilient as far as cheese production was concerned, they were less so in terms of landscape management and labour retention. Innovations and improved labour conditions could help remedy the situation.
Which Tomato Plant is Compatible with Which Natural Antagonist of the Tomato Leafminer?
Agroscope researchers tested three natural antagonists of the tomato leafminer on six tomato genotypes. Of the three genotypes displaying a degree of resistance, two were found to be compatible with the natural enemies of the pest.
Method for Calculating Agricultural Capitalised Earnings Value Level Refined
The capitalised earnings value level is an important basis for assessing the value of farms, e.g. at the time of their handover. Agroscope refined the historically developed calculation method using company valuation methods.
Cornalin du Valais Orphaned Once Again
A study led by Agroscope has deepened our understanding of the genetic mechanisms responsible for grape skin colour. New findings have led to a revision of the genealogy of the Rouge du Pays cultivar (Cornalin du Valais) and contributed to a better understanding of the genetic diversity of the grapevine.
From Advertising to Biodiversity: Analysis of How Animal Products are Promoted
State support for the sale of animal products tends to increase the demand for resource-intensive foods. This can increase the environmental impact, including negative effects on biodiversity.
How Healthy are Milk Alternatives? Analysis and Scope for Improvement
An Agroscope study has analysed the nutritional quality of 66 milk alternatives from Swiss supermarkets. The researchers also considered how the nutritional profile of milk alternatives could be improved.
Nitrogen Assimilation and Distribution in Grapevine as a Function of Crop Load
A study on Chasselas grapevines shows that yield regulation by cluster thinning after foliar fertilisation does not increase grape nitrogen concentration but does encourage N accumulation in the perennial parts of the vine.
The Salt Dilemma with Emmentaler Cheese
Emmentaler PDO has a low-to-very-low salt content compared to other varieties of cheese. Agroscope researchers show how this came about, what sort of effects this has on sensory quality, and what can be done about this.
Drones Benefit Summer Farming
Drones can save time when looking for livestock or checking the condition of fences on summer pastures. Researchers at Agroscope have studied the factors that influence the use of drones in summer farming.
Effects of Pre-Flowering Removal of Main Leaves or Lateral Shoots
An Agroscope study shows that pre-flowering removal of the main leaves instead of the lateral shoots appears to be a viable practice with a moderate effect on both yield potential and must composition.
Milk MIR Spectra and Machine Learning to Verify Herbage Proportion in Dairy Herd Diets
How to verify grassland-based feeding? An approach based on machine learning and milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectra acquired from routine milk quality testing may be the answer.
Encouraging Participation in Community-Supported Agriculture Schemes With New Communication Strategy
Custom-tailored communication about the personal benefits in terms of nutrition and sustainable living provided by community-supported agriculture (CSA) can motivate a variety of non-members to join the scheme.
Strengthening the Future of Communal Food Production in Switzerland
Community gardens, allotments and community-supported agriculture are key for sustainable, resilient food systems. Their future depends on political recognition and inter-institutional network support.
Targeted Greening to Control Track-Side Vegetation
To reduce the use of herbicides to control track-side vegetation, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) commissioned Agroscope and HEPIA to develop a low-growing plant mix for the track area.
Swiss Agricultural Policy and its Impact on Greenhouse-Gas Emissions from Agriculture
Every two years, the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) highlights advances in climate mitigation and climate adaptation. Agricultural policy developments and their implications for agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a key topic.
Goat Husbandry: Standard Values for Feed Intake and Nutrient Excretion Adjusted
Standard values for livestock feed intake and excretion are essential for proper farm fertilisation planning and assessment of the farm’s nutrient balance. Agroscope adjusted the standard values for goats with the aim of improving nutrient-flow assessment.
The Future Use of Switzerland’s Organic Soils
Agroscope has compiled a new map of Switzerland’s organic soils, which forms the basis for developing a strategy for managing these soils.
Current Suisse-Bilanz Tool as an Environmental Indicator: Good for Phosphorus, Unsuitable for Nitrogen
An Agroscope study shows that the Suisse-Bilanz nutrient-balance calculation tool could serve as an environmental indicator for sustainable nutrient use – but only for phosphorus, not for nitrogen.
Crude Protein and Phosphorus Levels in Poultry Feed – a Key to High Resource Efficiency
Commercial poultry farming has grown considerably in recent years. This study aims to analyse its protein supply and identify potential for optimising phosphorus utilisation and feed efficiency.
Labels on Plant-Based Milk Alternatives: What’s On and In the Packaging?
An Agroscope study gives an overview of front-of-pack labels on the packaging of 66 plant-based milk alternatives (hereafter referred to as milk alternatives) available in Swiss supermarkets. It also examines whether the information on the labels accurately reflects product properties.
Sheep Husbandry: Feed Intake and Nutrient Excretion Guidelines Adjusted
Standard values for livestock feed intake and excretion are essential for proper farm fertilisation planning and assessment of the farm’s nutrient balance. Agroscope adjusted the standard values for sheep with the aim of improving nutrient-flow assessment.
A1/A2 Genetic Background of Cows, But Not Their Horn Status, Influences Milk Protein Digestion
The influence of horn status and the genetic variant of the (A1/A2) β-Casein milk protein on milk quality and digestion is the subject of much debate. This study shows that the milk of cows with a genetic difference in β-Casein is digested slightly differently in the human stomach, but that horn status has no effect in this regard.
