Reducing Pesticides can be Advantageous, Depending on the Crop
Does pesticide reduction reduce profitability and increase working time? Quite the reverse – Agroscope researchers showed that going pesticide-free can be an attractive proposition.
Archive
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What Effect Does Sorghum-based Feeding Have on Cheese Quality?
Climate change is compelling producers to find alternatives to the usual fodders. Sorghum is one alternative. When used in dairy-cattle feed, how does it affect the quality of hard cheeses?
Alternative Products for Meat and Dairy: Better for Health and the Environment?
In recent years, plant-based foods have come on the market as alternatives to products of animal origin. Their aim: to positively influence sustainability and health. However, do they really do this? A study conducted by Agroscope and the University of Bern examined the issue.
Do Permanent Grasslands Contribute to Climate Protection?
Do soils under meadows and pastures in Switzerland take up more carbon than they release, thus contributing to climate protection? According to a new study from Agroscope, they currently do not. Measures to promote carbon storage do, however, exist.
Development Opportunities for Swiss Sparkling Wines
Global wine sales have been falling for several years and the Swiss market has not been bucking this trend. Nevertheless, the growing consumption of sparkling wines in Switzerland and the interest in local products are creating new prospects for leveraging wine production.
Understanding Alpine Farming for Targeted Policymaking
The heterogeneity of summer farms in the Swiss Alps must be take into account in order to develop effective policy measures. This should lead to improved conservation of the ecological and economic functions of alpine meadows.
Using 3D Imaging to Optimise the Diet of Growing Cattle
Fast and safe three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology gives good in vivo estimates of body and carcass chemical composition in growing beef cattle.
Root Exudates: A Means of Communication and Interaction between Plants
Plants release root exudates – compounds that influence the growth of their neighbours – into the soil. Understanding this mechanism allows us to devise new approaches for biological weed control.
Agroforestry’s Contribution to a Sustainable Agricultural Policy in Switzerland
Future agricultural policy will aim at innovative and sustainable production systems. Using the example of agroforestry, an assessment method based on an expert survey and the literature has now been tested. The results show that agroforestry can support the transformation into a more sustainable agricultural sector.
Ecological Focus Areas in Farmland and their Contribution
What do ecological focus areas in Swiss farmland contribute? Agroscope experts summarised their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services in a literature survey.
Blanchier: Ancient Variety Rediscovered in Vineyards in Valais
Although fairly widespread in the vineyards of Valais in the 19th century, Blanchier seemed to have disappeared. Now the grape variety was rediscovered in several locations.
Performance of Endangered Heritage Grape Varieties in the Vineyards of Valais
Twelve heritage grape varieties grown in Valais and at risk of extinction have been added to Agroscope’s grape varieties collection and studied. This action is linked to the National Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources.
How Does the Share of Farmland Classified as Ecological Focus Area Affect Farm Biodiversity?
Managing farmland as an Ecological Focus Area (EFA) has a positive impact on its biodiversity. Agroscope has now investigated the effect of implementing this agri-environmental measure on non-EFAs.
Catch Crops for Feed Production in Drought Conditions
Are drought-tolerant catch crops a good source of feed? A trial conducted by Agroscope shows that their potential is limited. Combining certain of these catch crops with legumes can improve feed quality, including in the form of silage.
Language Regions Assess Agricultural Policy Goals Differently
An online survey shows that the Swiss population views all agricultural policy goals as important. Although animal welfare and farmers' incomes are the top priorities everywhere, the language regions show differences in their assessment of the goals.
Consumers Prioritise Animal Welfare over Environmental Sustainability
A study conducted across five European countries has identified the attributes that are important to consumers buying meat and dairy products. The researchers also investigated whether sustainability labels were perceived as helpful.
Heading towards a Regionalised Nitrogen Balance
The newly designed Swiss agri-environmental monitoring programme ‘MAUS’ aims, as far as possible, to determine environmental impacts for regions and farm types with existing data. The first MAUS report deals with the regionalised nitrogen balance.
Effects of a Zeolite-based Foliar Biostimulant on Winter Wheat and Maize
Foliar applications of a zeolite-based biostimulant improved the yield as well as the export of nitrogen of winter wheat and maize. This represents an option for improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing losses.
Pre-emptive Selection of Natural Enemies of Invasive Pests
Pre-emptive biological control involves the evaluation of the benefits and risks of the natural enemies of an invasive pest in advance of its arrival, allowing the swift approval and deployment of the natural enemies in an emergency.
Can Effective Microorganisms Influence Green-Manure Decomposition?
Although effective microorganisms (EM) are frequently used to shallowly incorporate green manures (cover crops) in the field, almost no scientific research has been conducted on them to date. This study simulated the decomposition of green manures with EM in the laboratory.
Roughage Components in Nutrition of Layers – Does it Make Sense for Dual-Purpose Poultry?
Dual-purpose chicken play some role in Swiss organic agriculture. Their feed efficiency is a challenge, though. Would it help to use more extensive and fibre-rich feed for such genotypes?
Interconnected Ecological Focus Areas Are Particularly Valuable for Species Richness
Agroscope studied various categories of ecological focus areas and showed that the presence of these in connectivity projects makes a major contribution to large-scale species richness in the agricultural landscape.
Plant-Based Alternatives – an Analysis of the Last Ten Years
The study examines the discourse in the media on plant-based alternatives in Switzerland to gain insights into current trends. Instead of questioning consumers directly, the researchers analysed the media discourse which shapes and reflects consumer perceptions.
Digital Farming Is Strengthening the Role of Contractors
The family farm is the backbone of the Swiss agricultural sector. A recent study by Agroscope investigates the extent to which digitalisation has shifted the balance in the institutional structure of farming.
The Impact of Different Management Practices on the Ecosystem Services of Swiss Grassland
Whether grasslands are mown or grazed, fertilised or unfertilised – all this affects the ecosystem services of Swiss grasslands. These services benefit both the agricultural sector and society, e.g. in the form of livestock feed or erosion protection.
Sustainable Plant Protection in Vegetable Production with New Spot Spraying Plant Protection Robot
In vegetable row crops, spot spraying can save on insecticides and fungicides. Agroscope investigated the extent of this savings potential and compared the cost of spot spraying to broadcast treatments with a field sprayer.
How Vulnerable is Switzerland in terms of Food Imports?
Owing to its low degree of self-sufficiency, Switzerland is highly dependent on food imports. Because of this, it is important to assess its vulnerability in terms of supply security of these key imported goods.
Festuca apennina – a Future for the ‘Ryegrass of Alpine Pastures’?
Widespread in the Swiss alpine region, Festuca apennina could serve as a fodder plant for higher elevations. It also forms vigorous hybrids with meadow fescue and ryegrass. Does this make it suitable for improvement by breeding?
Curative Control of Wireworms (Agriotes spp.) in Potatoes
When wireworm damage to potato tubers is excessive the crop ceases to be marketable. Various control options were explored in an effort to remedy the problem.
Grass-Clover Mixtures: High Yields, Low Nitrate Leaching
The advantages of grass-clover mixtures in ley farming are manifold. An Agroscope study now shows that their highly efficient use of available nitrogen also keeps the risk of nitrate leaching low.
