Result-based Agri-environmental Payments: How They Are Designed Affects Biodiversity
A study on result-based agri-environmental payments in Switzerland shows how payment design can affect biodiversity.
Archive
75 posts
Methane: Strategies and Potential for Mitigating Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Methane emissions are rising rapidly and accelerating climate change. A new review reveals effective measures that can quickly reduce them.
Agroscope, University of London, Victoria University of Wellington, Global Monitoring Laboratory, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Nottingham, Imperial College, International Livestock Research Institute, Spark Climate Solutions, Utrecht University, University of Manchester, TNO, Technical University of Denmark, Twin Paradox Labs
Contact with Humans and Grazing Intensity Influence Meat Quality in Beef Heifers
Meat quality is influenced by many animal-related factors. An Agroscope study shows that intensive grazing on smaller paddocks with a corresponding frequent change of paddocks and contact with humans is positively associated with meat quality.
Suppressing Broad-leaved Dock by Combining Root-boring Larvae and Plant Competition
The combination of competition by forage plants and herbivory by native root-boring moth larvae can significantly reduce the growth of small broad-leaved dock plants in permanent grasslands.
Environmental Labels: How Life Cycle Assessment Can Help with their Definition
Numerous environmental labels are based on life cycle assessment in combination with other methods. Are these methods compatible, and is it actually necessary to combine them? An Agroscope study investigates with the issue. Environmental labels offer guidance to consumers for making quick environmentally friendly purchasing decisions. Some environmental labels use results from life cycle assessment,…
Flavescence Dorée: Sizeable Reservoirs of the Disease around Vineyards
A formidable disease of grapevine, flavescence dorée continues to spread in Switzerland. The most recent knowledge acquired in Ticino allows us to better understand the role played in the risk of infection by gone-wild grapevines in woodlands around vineyards.
Survey of the Nitrogen Nutrition of Chasselas and Petite Arvine Musts in the Valais
A survey conducted by the Experimental Station for Viticulture and Oenology has furthered our understanding of nitrogen nutrition management practices in the vineyard and wine cellar for the Chasselas and Petite Arvine grape varieties in the Valais, highlighting potential avenues for improvement. In 2023, a questionnaire was sent to the producers of the Vitival network…
Microalgae – Tiny Creatures with Great Economic Potential
Microalgae do not need soil and produce more biomass than crops in the same period of time. The main applications of microalgae are currently food supplements, cosmetic products, animal feed and biofuels.
Yield, Quality and Stability: Wheat Variety Mixtures Have Potential
A study conducted by Agroscope in collaboration with IP-Suisse, DSP and FFB-Group shows that wheat variety mixtures generally perform better and are more stable than varieties grown in pure stands. Recommendations are made for practical applications.
Economic Optimisation of Dairy Cattle Breeding
For the milk production systems in Switzerland, the weights of the traits in the total breeding value are derived using a new method that takes into account not only the revenue but also the direct costs.
Quality of Swiss Beef Confirmed by 2023 Survey
The results of the 2023 beef quality survey have been released. They show that the quality of Swiss meat overall is highly satisfactory, in terms of nutrition as well as technological and sensorial aspects.
A Systematic Literature Review of Impactful Food Waste Interventions
Agroscope researchers conducted a literature review to summarise which measures are most effective in reducing food waste. Their findings contribute to better identification and implementation of effective interventions.
Green Alder Encroachment Control: Combining Mechanical Clearing with Goat Grazing
The green alder encroachment of summer pastures reduces biodiversity, forage quality, and landscape attractiveness. Goat grazing can help limit this process and restore pasture vegetation.
No Evidence of Urban-Rural Divide in the Prioritisation of Agricultural Policy Goals
A new study by Agroscope and the ETH shows that there is no rural-urban divide in the prioritisation of agricultural policy goals. From very rural to very urban, the Swiss population puts economic objectives before environmental ones.
How Can Organic Farming Be Scaled Up Successfully?
A global review of the literature shows that successful strategies for promoting organic agriculture vary from one region to another and require a combination of measures, e.g economic incentives coupled with educational and informational campaigns.
