Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Results-based biodiversity promotion is an approach that is being discussed in the context of agricultural policy as an alternative to the current system that is based on implementable measures. The survey shows that there is considerable interest among farmers.

FiBL, ZHAW, Office for Landscape and Nature Canton of Zurich

Plant production 17.12.25

White clover and smooth-stalked meadow grass make a significant contribution to persistence and grazeability in high-yielding fodder-production mixtures. Based on the 2022 to 2024 variety trials, Agroscope can now recommend two new varieties for each of these species.

Agroscope

Animal production 15.12.25

Grazing represents a sustainable option for rearing dairy male calves. Specifically, grazing strengthens immune function, while high-elevation pastures improve haemoglobin levels and red blood cell counts.

FiBL

Food 09.12.25

If we systematically reduce inefficiencies in the food system—such as the heavy use of cropland-based feed, concentrate feed for cattle, and avoidable food waste—we can achieve much higher self-sufficiency while lowering environmental impacts.

FiBL, ETH Zurich, Ö+L GmbH

Plant production 03.12.25

The use of vegetable fibre can reduce plant-protection product residues by up to 80% in white musts, with a more limited effect in red musts.. The method can be applied in cellar, as a complement to the responsible use of products in the vineyard.

Agroscope, Agridea, HES-SO Changins, Kanton Wallis, Amt für Rebbau und Wein, Vitival, Laboratoires Excell

Plant production 02.12.25

The 451 wines analysed on the VITISWISS national platform for monitoring plant-protection product residues show that Swiss wines possess a high level of quality, with only two cases of non-compliance.

Agroscope, Auvernier Office of Viticulture and Agroecology, Morges Agriculture and Viticulture Service (SAVI), Scitec Research SA, University of Lausanne

Plant production 26.11.25

A survey conducted in the Canton of Vaud on Chasselas reveals frequent nitrogen deficiencies in the vineyard for the 2022-2023 vintage, despite the application of soil supplements. Only a third of those surveyed measure yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN) in the must.

Agroscope, Direction générale de l’agriculture, de la viticulture et des affaires vétérinaires (DGAV)

Agricultural economics 20.11.25

A study examines the economic drivers of the optimal productive lifespan of dairy cows in two Swiss production systems.

Agroscope, FiBL

Plant production 19.11.25

Autumn-sown annual or perennial flower strips support antagonists of aphids, which are vectors of virus yellows, a severe disease in sugar beet. The effectiveness of these strips is influenced by floral composition, sowing time point and surrounding landscape elements.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich, Lidl Swiss

Plant production 06.11.25

Faced with climate change that undermines the stability of forage production, the introduction of more-drought-tolerant catch crops represents an adaptive strategy with a high likelihood of success in safeguarding livestock feed supplies.

Agroscope, Proconseil, FRI

Agricultural economics 28.10.25

Swiss citizens think that government, farmers, retailers and consumers are jointly responsible for transitioning towards more sustainable food systems. These are the findings of two surveys conducted by Agroscope and ETH Zürich.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Plant production 23.10.25

Cocksfoot is a productive, robust and drought-tolerant forage grass often used in Swiss grass leys. The most recent variety testing by Agroscope has led to the recommendation of several new top-performing cultivars.

Agroscope

Plant production 21.10.25

A trial conducted at Changins compared the impact of different tillage practices on wheat yields and soil fertility. It showed that minimum tillage provides agronomic and environmental advantages.

Agroscope, FiBL, University of Greenwich, University of Lausanne, EPFL

Food 16.10.25

Agroscope and its Italian counterpart CREA (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria) have described the new bacterial species Clostridium caseinilyticum sp. nov., isolated from cheese with the ‘putrificus’ quality defect and from silage. The study sheds light on potential causes and can contribute to the development of preventive measures.

Agroscope, CREA – Council for Agricultural Research and Economics

Environment 09.10.25

Private initiatives such as carbon credit trading can support public policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Agroscope and ETH Zürich examined factors which influence the effectiveness of such initiatives.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Environment 01.10.25

The occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is widely documented in soils, water bodies, drinking water and foods. An analysis by Agroscope ranks the contribution made by plant-protection products and other sources to groundwater contamination with PFAS.

Agroscope, FOAG

Environment 29.09.25

Nitrogen from agriculture, traffic, and industry enters soils and water bodies via the air. A new study shows for the first time that increased nitrogen deposition has a negative impact on bird populations – even in semi-natural habitats.

FiBL, Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach

Food 23.09.25

Wines made from fungus-resistant grape varieties are meeting with a comparable success to those from traditional grape varieties. A Swiss study reveals several consumer profiles, highlighting the importance of custom-tailored marketing strategies.

Agroscope

Environment 22.09.25

Greenhouse gas emissions from drained carbon-rich soils are being underestimated in GHG accounting. To resolve this, their distribution and emissions need to be better assessed. Accordingly, improvements for the GHG reporting system are suggested.

Agroscope

Food 17.09.25

Together with the cheese- and whey-processing sector and the foodward Foundation, Agroscope investigated how whey can be used in food and higher-quality feed. Vegetarian, kosher- and halal-compliant whey expands potential applications in the food sector.

Agroscope, foodward

Plant production 11.09.25

Agroscope researchers have assessed the potential impact of the Japanese beetle for Swiss agriculture and outlined integrated, multi-crop control measures for different sectors of production.

Agroscope

Environment 10.09.25

To date, figures on agricultural water use for irrigation in Switzerland have been quite patchy. In response, Agroscope has developed a method for estimating consumption volumes on behalf of the Federal Office for the Environment.

Agroscope

Environment 09.09.25

In a literature review, FiBL showed that protecting biodiversity requires both sustainably managed agricultural landscapes and suitable, undisturbed habitats.

FiBL

Plant production 28.08.25

Oilseed rape (OSR) requires multiple plant-protection treatments. Growing this crop with companion plants is a promising approach for sustainable pest control.

Agroscope

Animal production 21.08.25

Livestock husbandry poses challenges in determining odour impacts due to the heterogeneity and spatial extent of its odour sources. Agroscope and Empa have refined a method using trained assessors and validated it with tracer gases.

Agroscope, EMPA

Plant production 19.08.25

With its positive contribution to aroma, Metschnikowia pulcherrima is emerging as a valuable yeast in winemaking. The trial conducted suggests that bioprospection is an effective strategy for leveraging local microbial biodiversity.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 14.08.25

The use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine is to be further reduced. It is crucial for farms that their competitiveness does not suffer as a result.

BFH-HAFL

Agricultural economics 12.08.25

Acceptance of future digital technologies among farmers depends not only on how open the farmers are to digitalisation, but also primarily on concrete, farm-specific risk-benefit assessments.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 04.08.25

Agroscope investigated the Swiss population’s acceptance of digital technologies. Tools and technologies were rated more positively in plant production than in animal husbandry.

Agroscope

Plant production 29.07.25

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.

Agroscope, Bee Management, Wildbiene + Partner, University of Wageningen

Archive

Attitudes towards Results-based Biodiversity Promotion in Switzerland

White Clover and Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass: Four New Recommendations

Grazing Improves Immune Parameters and Complete Blood Count in Calves

Higher Swiss Self-Sufficiency with Lower Environmental Impact

Using Vegetable Fibre to Reduce Plant-Protection Product Residues in the Musts

VITISWISS Platform Assessment 2019-2021: Very Low Residues in Swiss Wines

Evaluation of Vine-to-Cellar Chasselas Nitrogen Nutrition in the Canton of Vaud

How the Lifespan of Dairy Cows Affects Profitability

Effect of Flower Strips on Aphid Antagonists in Sugar Beet Fields

Performance of Drought-adapted Forage Catch Crops

Shared Responsibility: Public Opinion of Agricultural and Food Policy

New Recommended Varieties of Cocksfoot

Minimum Tillage Offers Multiple Advantages

A New Bacterial Species Identified as the Cause of the ‘Putrificus’ Cheese Defect

How Voluntary Climate Protection Measures Can Be Successful

Trifluoroacetic Acid and Other PFAS in Groundwater: the Role of Plant Protection Products

Airborne Nitrogen Deposition Affects Bird Populations

Swiss Consumer Wine Preferences: Traditional vs. Fungus-Resistant Grape Varieties

Underestimate of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Switzerland’s Farmed Transition Soils

Whey for Food and Higher-Quality Feed that also meets Kosher/Halal Standards

Japanese Beetle: Damage Potential and Control Measures in Switzerland

How Much Water Does the Swiss Agricultural Sector Need for Irrigation?

Biodiversity Can Be Protected Through Sustainable Agriculture and Suitable Habitats

Intercropping: a Strategy for Controlling Insect Pests in Oilseed Rape Crops

Can Odour Impacts Be Reliably Determined by Assessors?

Bioprospection of Metschnikowia pulcherrima for Chasselas vinification

Measures for Antibiotic Reduction and Competitiveness in the Dairy Industry

Why Acceptance of Digital Technologies Varies among Swiss Farmers

Smart Farming: Public Acceptance Rises When Benefits Are Stressed

Mason Bees: Choosing the Right Species for Cherry- and Apple Tree Pollination