Archive
2,441 posts
Long-term effect of organic fertilizers on crop yield and nitrogen fertilization
Consequences of the use of different organic fertilizers (green manure, cereal straw, manure at 35 and 70 t ha-1 every 3 years and cattle slurry at 60 m3 ha-1 every 3 years) and mineral fertilizer (four doses nitrogen) are tested in Changins since 1976. This study analyses the long-term effect (34 years) on crop yield,…
Climate change affects welfare of dairy cows
Climate change is leading to higher temperatures across Switzerland, increasing the risk of heat stress in livestock. Analyzing a «Temperature-Humidity Index» at various locations, it could be shown that the risk for dairy cows already grew substantially on a daily average over the past 30 years, whereas the maximum of the index did not change…
Long-term effect of organic fertilizers on soil properties
Consequences of the use of different organic fertilizers (green manure, cereal straw, manure at 35 and 70 t ha-1 every 3 years and cattle slurry at 60 m3 ha-1 every 3 years) and mineral fertilizer (four doses nitrogen) are tested in Changins since 1976. This study analyses their long-term effect on organic, chemical and biological…
Population structure and genetic diversity of Swiss sheep breeds
The year 2010 was declared by the United Nations as the International year of biodiversity. During that year, the Swiss Sheep Breeding Association made herd book data of its four largest breeds available for genetic diversity analyses. Those were Brown Headed Meat Sheep (OX; n=10 858), Black Brown Mountain Sheep (BNP; n=10 964), Valais Black…
Alpine products and services – supply situation in selected Swiss regions
Alpine products are niche products that generate public interest. In an investigation of the supply situation in six Swiss case study regions, 262 producers from summering farms were surveyed. The results show that the most important of the produced and marketed alpine products is alpine cheese, which is often sold directly to consumers and in…
Whole-farm advisory increases quality and quantity of ecological compensation areas
The areas of ecological compensation (AEC) required for farms receiving subventions have so far delivered modest results against the loss of biodiversity in cultivated landscape of Switzerland. Insufficient ecological quality and inadequate locations of these areas are to blame. The results of our study show that whole-farmadvisory can efficiently improve the situation even on intensive…
Attractiveness of extensive meadows for aphid predators
Of all ecological compensation areas in Switzerland, extensive meadows occupy the largest surface area. The aim of this study was to investigate the attractiveness of extensive meadows for flying cereal-aphid predators, specifically in the immediate vicinity of cereal plants. On four sites in the Swiss Midlands in spring 2010, wheat in pots was in each…
Varieties, seeding rate and nitrogen fertilization on winter barley
In order to take stock of winter barley cultivation and especially the differences between six and two-row genotypes, field trials were implemented between 2005 and 2007 at the locations Changins and Goumoëns. Six and two-row varieties differed in yield level, yield formation and quality factors. Seeding rates between 150 and 300 seeds / m² were…
Reaction of newly registered potato varieties to different nitrogen supplies
In 2008 and 2009, in field trials at the Changins-Nyon (Vaud canton) and Zurich-Reckenholz sites, respectively, the two research stations of Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW and Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART investigated the varietyspecific nitrogen (N) requirement of the potato varieties Gourmandine, Jelly, Laura and Lady Jo (the latter at Changins only). The N levels varied from 0…
Efficiency of forage surface area in dairy systems in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland
Milk output per hectare of forage surface area is a means of measuring the efficiency of dairy production. The aim of this study is to identify which factors are decisive in the variation of surface-area productivity practised in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. The analysis is based on a survey of 266 dairy farms…
Use of acid-base indicators to predict the risk of milk fever in dairy cows
The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between acid-base parameters in urine before parturition and the calcium level in blood shortly after parturition. Hundred dairy cows kept under identical feeding and housing conditions were monitored. The diet was based on grass and corn silage and hay ad libitum. Urine samples were…
Performance and nitrogen efficiency of Swiss wheat varieties of the 20th century
The average wheat yield in Switzerland has increased from 13dt/ha in 1850 to 60dt/ha today. The present study investigates the factor variety in this spectacular yield improvement. Yield, yield components and nitrogen efficiency efficacy of seven Swiss wheat varieties released between 1926 and 2003 and the French variety Caphorn (released in 2001) have been studied…
Factors influencing the nutrient and mineral content of ventilated dry forage
AGRIDEA has assembled the results of its annual forage survey (nutrient, mineral and trace elements content) undertaken between 2005 and 2009. Data of 1077 samples of ventilated dry forage were used in a statistical analysis to detect the various influences of factors such as year, region, altitude and botanical composition on the nutrient and mineral…
Crop-adapted crop protection measures in high-growing greenhouse vegetables
Currently the grower of glasshouse crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants or sweet pepper does not have a clear guidance on how to adapt the dosage of fungicides, insecticides or acaricides to his growing crops. In most cases the total leaf area of the crop represents the target area for the application of crop protection…
Fifteen years of organic cereal seed health analyses at Agroscope ART
Investigations on organically produced cereal seed over the past 15 years have shown the importance of the control of seed-borne diseases. Although disease pressure depends on annual fluctuations caused by the weather, infestation with common and dwarf bunt (Tilletia caries/T. controversa) has increased in the last few years, with the former primarily occurring on spelt…
Pastor – a new red clover suitable for grazing
For the first time, a red clover variety bred and tested especially for its suitability for grazing is available to Swiss agriculture. Named Pastor, this variety traces back to crosses between an ecotype stemming from the canton of Jura, and Mattenklee breeding material. The new variety is characterised by a lower, flatter growth habit and…
