Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Prasuhn V., Hofer P., Liniger H.

A long-term field study conducted by Agroscope, the Soil Protection Agency of the Canton of Bern and the University of Bern shows that soil erosion on arable land can be significantly reduced with the right measures – in particular, conservation tillage practices.

Agroscope, Office for Agriculture and Nature of the Canton of Bern, Soil Protection Agency, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern

Plant production 15.06.22

Zufferey V., Verdenal T., Reynard J.-S., Dienes-Nagy A., Belcher S., Lorenzini F., Rösti J., Gindro K., Spangenberg J. E., Viret O., Carlen C., Spring J.-L.

Tests carried out by Agroscope in the Valais region reveal that the Humagne Rouge grape variety yields better wines and is less susceptible to bunch shrivel when grapevines are not irrigated.

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

Agricultural economics 02.06.22

Zorn A., Zimmert F.

Swiss dairy farms are more strongly affected by structural change than other farm types. An analysis of the farms exiting the sector or switching focus highlights influencing factors.

Agroscope

Plant production 01.06.22

Seehausen M. L., Valenti R., Fontes J., Meier M., Marazzi C., Mazzi D. and Kenis M.

A natural antagonist of Drosophila suzukii, a parasitic wasp from its native range, is harmless to the native non-target species Drosophila melanogaster. This has been proven in trials in secured field cages in Switzerland.

Agroscope, CABI, ETH Zurich, canton of Ticino

Agricultural economics 18.05.22

Umstätter C., Mann S. und Werner J.

Previous criteria used to measure social sustainability have their limits in the case of family farms. We propose focusing on workload. Initial results show that this is an easy-to-use and meaningful indicator.

Agroscope, Thünen-Institut, University of Hohenheim

Plant production 13.05.22

Kaiser A., Burger P.

To reduce plant-protection product use, we need to know what behavioural patterns farmers follow when using plant-protection products in their crops. This was the subject of a study conducted by Agroscope in Switzerland.

Agroscope, University of Basel

Agricultural economics 12.05.22

El Benni N., Ritzel C., Heitkämper K. und Mack G.

Why do Swiss farmers complain about the administrative burden associated with the direct payments system? Studies conducted by Agroscope show that the issue is not the time required: other factors are more important.

Agroscope

Animal production 05.05.22

Herholz C., Siegwart J., Bruckmaier R.M., Rytz E., Lamon I., Muhr M. und Stirnimann R.

In both sport and alternative agriculture, horses are once again being used as draught animals. Efficient power transmission plays an important role in the wellbeing of draught horses.

BFH-HAFL, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Bern, IG Arbeitspferde Schweiz

Food 29.04.22

Spring J.-L., Zufferey V., Verdenal T., Reynard J.-S., Lorenzini F., Bourdin G., Carlen C.

Divico, Agroscope’s new disease-resistant grape variety, is noted for the quality of its wines. Blending trials with the Pinot Noir variety have shown that Divico is also highly suitable for correcting colour intensity in the latter.

Agroscope

Animal production 28.04.22

Straub U.

A study by Vetsuisse shows that the outdoor veal calf concept reduces antibiotic consumption in calf fattening by 80%. AGRIDEA has examined the economic viability of outdoor veal calf production and concludes that it cannot compete with conventional veal calf fattening.

Agridea

Plant production 27.04.22

Rainer Frick, Daniel Suter, Hansueli Hirschi, Edwige Dereuder, Cédric Coudry

Crimson clover is essentially used as a catch crop in association with ryegrass. The comparative trial conducted in 2019-21 has led to the addition of two new acquisitions to the List of Recommended Varieties of Forage Plants.

Agroscope

Animal production 12.04.22

Wasem D. und Probst S.

In contrast to pigs, dairy cattle are as yet rarely fed protein-reduced diets. Studies show that there is also potential for protein savings in cattle, and thus for reducing ammonia emissions.

BFH-HAFL

Plant production 31.03.22

Ammann J., Umstätter C. und El Benni N.

Digital technologies for vegetable production are available, but are seldom used at present. What factors inhibit or promote their use? A survey of experts conducted by Agroscope provides answers.

Agroscope, Thünen Institute for Agricultural Technology

Plant production 24.03.22

Argento F., Liebisch F., Simmler M., Ringger C., Hatt M., Walter A. und Anken T.

To ensure a good harvest while protecting the environment, a nitrogen surplus must be avoided. Agroscope is investigating how the application of nitrogen fertiliser can be better adapted to soil replenishment and the needs of the plants.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich, Swiss Future Farm

Agricultural economics 10.03.22

Reissig L., Stoinescu A., Mack G.

Farmers are increasingly required to communicate electronically with the authorities. This is obligatory regarding the management of direct payments and the livestock census. Agroscope interviewed farmers on their perception of the administrative workload.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 03.03.22

Ammann, J., El Benni, N.

Digitalisation is playing an increasingly important role in agriculture. What knowledge is imparted in the Farm Manager course? An online survey shows where there is a need for expansion.

Agroscope

Plant production 02.03.22

Salomon M.J., van der Heijden M.G.A.
Contact: marcel.vanderheijden@agroscope.admin.ch

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are like a “life-insurance policy for plants”. They improve soil structure and make nutrients and water available. This increases the stress tolerance of crops and leads to better yields.

Agroscope, University of Zurich, University of Adelaide, North Carolina State University, South Dakota State University

Environment 28.02.22

Bättig D., Ramseier H., Luka H., Herzog F., Jacot K.

Farmer acceptance plays a crucial role in establishing optimal flower strips. A survey conducted by Agroscope, FiBL and HAFL shows that pollinator flower strips work in practice, and lead to high satisfaction.

Agroscope, BFH-HAFL, FiBL

Agricultural economics 22.02.22

Finger R. and El Benni N.

Farms, their risks and various underlying conditions are becoming increasingly complex. Because of this, agricultural income should be considered holistically.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Animal production 10.02.22

Schori F. and Münger A.

Forestomach acidosis can impair nutrient utilisation and uptake in dairy cows. Agroscope tested the functioning of two makes of measurement boluses that record pH in the forestomach of cows.

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 02.02.22

Ehlers M.-H., Finger R., Huber R.

How is digitalisation changing agriculture and agricultural policy? A European team with the participation of Agroscope, the FOAG and the ETH developed four scenarios from which strategies were derived for the future achievement of agricultural policy goals.

Agroscope, ETH Zurich

Animal production 27.01.22

Schori F. und Münger A.

Agroscope investigated the effects on dairy cows of an all-herbage ration compared with a concentrate-supplemented ration. The study shows that an all-herbage ration is possible for suitable dairy cow types.

Agroscope

Environment 11.01.22

M. Korkaric, L. Ammann, I. Hanke, J. Schneuwly, M. Lehto, T. Poiger, L. de Baan, O. Daniel, J.F. Blom

Agroscope has developed risk indicators for plant protection products. These indicators highlight risk trends over time for important environmental compartments. Based on sales volumes of active substances, they take account of specific risk reduction measures.

Agroscope

Environment 14.12.21

O. Heller, N. Peter, G. Garland and P. Weisskopf

The preservation of soil fertility and multiple soil functions faces various challenges both in Switzerland and throughout Europe. A survey carried out in Switzerland among people from practice, government agencies and research highlights problems and possible solutions.

Agroscope

Food 09.12.21

H. Stoffers, M. Peter, H.-P. Bachmann, L. Egger, S. Dubois and B. Guggenbühl

As part of the trend towards vegetarian and vegan products, Agroscope looked into the production of plant-based alternatives to soft cheese based on Swiss raw materials.

Agroscope

Plant production 07.12.21

Schröder A., Heyer J., Hochstrasser M., Brugger D., Wirth J.

The invasive weed yellow nutsedge creates considerable problems for Swiss producers in arable and vegetable crops. In a four-year project, stakeholders from research and practice evaluated various control strategies on-farm.

Agroscope, Fachstelle Pflanzenschutz des Kantons Bern, Grangeneuve, Strickhof, Swiss Farmer’s Union SFU

Animal production 22.11.21

Kast C. and Kilchenmann V.

Pesticides accumulate in beeswax and pose a risk to the development of bee larvae. In an in vitro study, Agroscope evaluated the toxicity of pesticides in beeswax

Agroscope

Agricultural economics 11.11.21

Hoop D.

Grass-fed milk production meets a customer need, and is linked to specific feed and animal-welfare requirements. An Agroscope study sought to determine the circumstances in which grass-fed milk production is worthwhile.

Agroscope

Animal production 10.11.21

Scriba M. F. and Wechsler B.

Fattening pigs suffer when it is hot. Timely provision of cooling measures increases both animal welfare and success in pig fattening. Researchers at Agroscope examined which indicators reliably indicate heat stress in fattening pigs.

Agroscope, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs

Environment 01.11.21

Eisenring S., Holzkämper A., Calanca P.

Model calculations show how climate change will affect the water requirement for different crops grown on the Swiss Central Plateau. This will allow us to proactively plan for crop irrigation and adaptation to the changing climate.

Agroscope

Archive

Long-term Monitoring Shows Effective Measures for Reducing Soil Erosion

Humagne Rouge: Moderate Water Stress Improves Wine Quality

Swiss Dairy Farming in Transition

Promising Exotic Antagonist of Spotted-Wing Drosophila

How Can the Social Sustainability of Family Farms Be Measured?

Diversity in Swiss Crop Protection Practices

Direct Payments System: How to Reduce the Administrative Burden

Use of Horses: Performance and Welfare in Working Horses – a Pilot Study

Divico Wines in Blends with Pinot Noir: High Quality, Intense Colour

The Outdoor Veal Calf Concept Reduces the Use of Antibiotics – Is It Cost-Effective as Well?

Two New Varieties of Incarnate Clover Recommended

Feeding Dairy Cows a Protein-Reduced Diet and Reducing Ammonia Emissions

How Digitalised Will Swiss Vegetable Farms Be in Future?

Using Sensors to Better Adapt Nitrogen Fertilisation to Plants and Soils

Why Many Farmers Feel e-Government Services Are an Additional Burden

Digital Technologies in Agricultural Training

Soil Health Improvement Using Commercial Mycorrhizal Products: over 80% are Unsuitable

Pollinator Flower Strips: Survey Shows Broad Satisfaction in Practice

Income in Agriculture: a Holistic Analysis is Needed

Assessment of Two Boluses for Measuring pH in the Forestomachs of Cows

Scenarios for Agricultural Policy in the Age of Digitalisation

How Do Today’s Dairy Cows Respond to an All-Herbage Ration?

New Plant Protection Product Risk Indicators for Switzerland

Challenges for Sustainable Soil Management – A Stocktake

Characterisation of a Plant-Based Cheese Alternative Based on Swiss Raw Materials

Yellow Nutsedge: What Control Strategies Work in Practice?

Pesticides in Beeswax: How Toxic Are They to Honey Bee Larvae?

Better Milk Price and Low Basic Ration Costs Make Grass-Fed Milk Cost-Efficient

Heat Stress in Fattening Pigs: Which Indicators Can Reveal Reduced Welfare?

How Much More Water Will Swiss Crops Need in Future?