Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Plant-plant interactions can contribute to yield security and resilience. The significance of these interactions in agriculture is contentious, not least of all because the mechanisms are largely unclear. This study summarises the current state of knowledge.

Agroscope, University of Zurich

Environment 13.04.26

Greenhouse gas accounting tools are important for quantifying reduction potentials and performance. Agroscope researchers conducted a review to analyse their potential applications. Considerable experience is needed to correctly interpret the results.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 07.04.26

This article describes how digitalisation in the Swiss agricultural sector has evolved from 2018 to the present day. It also outlines the measures required for successful digitalisation.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL, Agridea, FOAG, barto AG, Swiss Farmer’s Union SFU, Centre for Viticulture Wädenswil, Robert Aebi AG, fenaco

Plant production 30.03.26

Incorporating the SOM:clay ratio in the Principles of Agricultural Crop Fertilisation in Switzerland (PRIF) allows us to give more specific agronomic advice at each site based on a broader considera-tion of soil quality.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 27.03.26

Plant species diversity in intensively managed grasslands can act like a natural insurance against drought risk by reducing production variability. This reduction persists even at increased drought risks.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Agricultural economics 25.03.26

This article summarises all papers published by Agroscope and ETH that deal with the perception of agricultural policy of both farmers and the rest of the population. It highlights what must be borne in mind when developing policy measures so as to achieve broad acceptance of an integrated agricultural and food policy. An effective agricultural…

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Food 23.03.26

Ten years ago, Agroscope showed that eye formation in cheese is promoted by tiny hay particles whose capillaries serve as starting points for cheese eyes. Researchers have now confirmed the crucial role played by the capillary effect.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 19.03.26

Swiss summer farms lack qualified and experienced staff, partly because workers are spending fewer summers on the alps. The shortage of staff and loss of experience can have a negative impact on the sustainable management of the alpine pastures.

BFH-HAFL

Food 12.03.26

The Valais rye bread AOP project is a project-specific field study with a clearly defined, geographic and legal context (AOP/PDO). The aim is to describe the authenticity and quality of this traditional sourdough.

Agroscope, Valais Rye Bread Association, Swiss Association of PDO-PGI

Agricultural economics 11.03.26

Goats may be appealing, but very few goat farmers can make money from them. Dairy goats become economically viable only when annual milk production reaches at least 100 tonnes, which equates to around 120 to 180 dairy goats, depending on yield.

Agroscope

Plant production 09.03.26

Genome analysis shows that Japanese beetle populations in Switzerland have different origins. This indicates several entry and dispersal routes – knowledge that can help develop targeted prevention and containment measures.

Agroscope, Università di Siena, National Biodiversity Future Center Palermo

Plant production 05.03.26

Wines produced from resistant grape varieties are in the ascendant in Swizerland. Consumers are showing that they are open to them. The market penetration of these wines, especially in the catering sector, could be improved through better communication.

Agroscope, HES-SO Changins

Food 04.03.26

Food waste in primary production is rarely recorded – yet this data is key to devising effective reduction strategies throughout the entire value-added chain. This analysis evaluates existing measurement methods with the focus on vegetables. Around 37% of edible food is wasted every year in Switzerland. To address this issue, the Federal Council adopted the…

Agroscope

Plant production 02.03.26

The biodiversity of grassland areas is a precious resource that must be preserved. The evaluation of the in situ conservation programme by farmers and experts has led to recommendations for its improvement.

FOAG, InfoFlora Genève

Plant production 26.02.26

Interest in drought-adapted alternative forage plants is growing. What is their potential as catch crops? A study by Agroscope highlights the advantages and limitations of a selection of these crops.

Agroscope

Environment 18.02.26

Designation of regional nature parks in Switzerland significantly boosts the adoption of direct payment schemes aimed at promoting biodiversity conservation (agri-environment schemes, AES), particularly in regions with relatively more intensive farming and low prior uptake of such schemes. Although both regional nature parks and agri-environment schemes (AES) aim to conserve biodiversity, the interaction between these…

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Plant production 16.02.26

Stable yields in plant production are crucial for farm profitability and food security. Model simulations show that the yield stability of many summer crops could decline substantially due to climate change, while winter crops are significantly less affected.

Agroscope

Plant production 11.02.26

A recent study shows that the risk of exposure during activities involving seeds treated with plant protection products is not always properly understood. Information provided to agricultural professionals should be improved.

Agroscope, Unisanté, Canton de Vaud, Proconseil

Environment 05.02.26

Duckweed can efficiently produce protein-rich biomass on nutrient-rich waters, such as wastewater or liquid farmyard manure, while simultaneously binding nitrogen and phosphorus. This presents potential for modern circular economy systems.

FiBL, University of Hohenheim, University of Basel

Animal production 03.02.26

A recent Agroscope study highlights the potential of Highland cattle to control the spread of green alder and restore plant diversity on mountain pastures.

Agroscope, University of Turin

Environment 02.02.26

Imports from abroad were incorporated into Switzerland’s farm-gate-budget-based agricultural nutrient budget calculation to expand it into a food-system budget. This allows assessment of self-sufficiency, nutrient use and circularity to be assessed in addition to nutrient surpluses.

Agroscope

Plant production 27.01.26

With the passage of time, crop yield losses can occur on no-till farmland. Researchers from Agroscope and the Universities of Graz and Nevada demonstrated how subsoil compaction can lead to yield losses.

Agroscope, TU Graz, University of Nevada, Reno

Plant production 07.01.26

An Agroscope study shows that breeding cultivar mixtures is an effective strategy for mitigating the effects of changing abiotic conditions and maintaining stable wheat quality.

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

Agricultural economics 05.01.26

A study conducted by Agroscope and ETH Zurich surveyed the opinions of both farmers and the rest of the population with respect to agricultural policy goals, revealing both shared and divergent views.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Environment 18.12.25

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

Archive

Plant-Plant Interactions Can Have a Positive Impact on Cropping Systems

Carbon Footprints in Agriculture: Findings from Applied Research

The Digital Transformation of the Swiss Agrifood Sector

Soil Organic Matter Content: Is There A Need to Update The Interpretation for Agricultural soils?

Plant Diversity to Cope with Increased Drought Risk in Grasslands

The Significance of the Agricultural Policy Goals for the Swiss Population

Capillary Effect Confirmed: Why Hay Particles Are Key for Eye Formation in Emmentaler Cheese

How the Alpine Farming Sector and Individual Alps Can Promote Worker Loyalty

Valais Rye Bread AOP Proves Impressively Diverse

How Profitable Is Swiss Goat Milk Production?

Japanese Beetles in Switzerland Have Italian and North American Roots

Resistant Grape Varieties: Raising Awareness of Promising Wines

Quantifying Food Waste: Focus on Vegetable Production

Conserving Fodder Plants in situ: Challenges and Perspectives

Alternative Forage Plants as Catch Crops

Swiss Regional Nature Parks Promote Biodiversity Conservation Agri-Environment Schemes

How Stable Will Future Crop Yields Be in Switzerland?

Risk of Exposure to Dressed Seed is often Underestimated

Duckweed: a Future Feed Ingredient for Closing Nitrogen Cycles?

Targeted Grazing by Highland Cattle: Less Green Alder, More Plant Biodiversity

Strategies for Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Losses

Avoiding Subsoil Compaction under No-Till

Cultivar Mixtures Stabilise Wheat Baking Quality

Consensus and Dissension with Respect to Agricultural Policy Goals

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