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Plant production

Siegrist-Maag S., Suter M., Lüscher A.

Ragwort and grassland-management – a connection?

Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.) is an important weed in various countries (Great Britain, New Zealand). In recent years, the species has also gained attention in Switzerland. Our investigation involved a survey to assess the influence of grassland management on the presence of ragwort and to identify important site conditions associated with the species. Botanical relevés…
Environment

Calanca P., Fuhrer J., Jasper K., Torriari D., Keller F., Dueri S.

Climate change and agricultural production

The shift in climatic conditions expected for the coming decades could become a major challenge for the Swiss agriculture. Relevant questions in this context concern the extent of the regional climate changes, their impact on agricultural ecosystems and the possibility for agriculture to adapt to the new conditions. Providing an answer to these questions is…
Environment

Reidy B., Menzi H.

Farm and manure management in Switzerland

Reliable estimates of ecological impacts of agriculture require a detailed knowledge of farm management and structure. To establish a new Swiss ammonia emission inventory, a representative survey on parameters relevant for ammonia emissions was conducted in 2002. The stratified sample of farms allowed the differentiation between nine different regions and four farm types. The results…
Environment

Neftel A., Ammann Ch., Calanca P., Flechard Ch., Fuhrer J., Leifeld J., Jocher M.

Greenhouse gas budgets of grassland systems

The field experiment «Kyoto-Wiese» in Oensingen (CH) shows that the conversion of arable land to intensively managed permanent grassland leads to an increase in the soil C-content of around 1.5 tons per hectare and year, provided that a sufficient amount of N-fertilizer is applied. This sequestration of carbon corresponds roughly to the yearly emission from…
Plant production

Uehlinger G., Pfiffner L., Schaffner D.

Does soil tillage cutting regime improve the quality of wildflower strips?

We have investigated effects of single soil tillage or cutting regime on the quality of wildflower strips including a control treatment without any regime. The treatments were performed at three different dates at the 2nd (autumn) and 3rd (spring and autumn) year. A randomized plot-trial was set up during 1996-2001 with four replicates, where the…
Agricultural economics

Beyeler Ch., Friedli R., Spring P., Hilty R.

Investment costs for fattening pig houses

The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the investments for fattening pig barns in Switzerland based on realized objects. The investments were analyzed on 24 objects built between 1997 und 2004 with an average capacity of 372 fattening pigs (FP) (200 to 800 FP). The capital cost was evaluated based on the construction…
Agricultural economics

Marbé-Sans D., Heitkämper K., Schick M.

Measurement of standard times in horticulture

Actually the FAT database of standard times in horticulture is revised. In general standard times are measured in grape, appel, cherry and berry cultures and some single vegetable cultures.The application of the standard time methods is described by using different examples of horticultures. The focus is on the difference between standard times on the one…
Agricultural economics

Huber R., Rieder P.

Economic costs of Swiss agriculture

Since the separation of price and income policies, the economic costs on the supply side of Swiss agriculture have decreased considerably. They amount to about half a billion Swiss francs, which corresponds to 0,15 % of the Swiss net social product in 2002. Compared to the overall costs in Swiss agriculture, the loss of social…
Animal production

Wyss U.

Testing silage additives 2004

In 2004, we tested the efficacy of the silage additive EM to promote the main fermentation. The trials were carried out in small-scale silos with a mixture of lucerne and cocksfoot. Forage of the first and also of the second cut was ensiled at two different dry matter levels (about 20 and 30 % dry…
Environment

Tobias S., Nüesch A., Nebel R., Guilmain A.-L.

Suburban agriculture or landscape management?

Cities and conurbations are usually located in places that are favourable for agriculture. However, in urban regions there are very few people working in the agricultural sector. Although most people use the landscape adjacent to residential areas for recreation, they still expect an agrarian look of this landscape. An investigation of agricultural structures of municipalities…
Plant production

Suter D., Briner H., Mosimann E., Jeangros B., Stévenin L.

Variety trials with tall- and golden oat-grass

Between 2002 and 2004, Agroscope FAL Reckenholz and RAC Changins tested four varieties of tall oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius L) and four varieties of golden oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens L.) at five and seven experimental sites respectively. The varieties were compared for yield, juvenile development, vigour, disease resistance, winter hardiness and competitive ability. With golden oat-grass the…
Agricultural economics

Kopainsky B., Rieder P.

Decentralised settlement: Who can replace agriculture?

Settlement can no longer be assured by agriculture alone. An integrated, regional approach is essential if decentralised settlement is to be maintained. This paper investigates the future prospects of endangered boroughs and the impact of development strategies designed to stabilise employment and population. A dynamic simulation model serves as the basis for this study. The…
Agricultural economics

Buchli S., Kopainsky B., Rieder P.

Agriculture and decentralised settlement

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the manner in which agriculture fulfils the obligations relating to its contribution to decentralised settlement and the respective measures implemented by the Federation. In the first stage, we investigate the role of agriculture in the situation threatening decentralised settlement and come to the conclusion that the sector…
Agricultural economics

Mack G., Pfefferli S.

Regional and national economic forecasts for different policy scenarios

The Swiss federal milk and meat market policy is due to undergo reform over the next few years. This article investigates the consequences of various policy scenarios on the basis of model calculations. The results clearly show that reducing milk-market support without modifying the direct payment system would lead to a decrease in dairy-cow livestock,…
Plant production

Jeangros B., Delabays N., Edder P., Ortelli D., Corvi C.

Asulam residues in dandelion flowers after a herbicide treatment

The application of asulam-based herbicides on grassland could explain the finding of sulfanilamide in some Swiss honeys. In fact, this antibiotic belonging to the sulfonamides is produced during the breakdown of asulam. To assess the risks related to the use of these herbicides, a permanent meadow with a high proportion of dandelions was sprayed before…
Plant production

Suter D., Briner H., Mosimann E., Jeangros B., Stévenin L.

Variety Trials with Italian- and Hybrid Ryegrass

Between 2002 and 2004, Agroscope FAL Reckenholz and RAC Changins tested 35 varieties of Italian ryegrass and 20 varieties of hybrid ryegrass at six and seven experimental sites respectively. The varieties were compared for yield, juvenile development, vigour, persistence, disease resistance, winter hardiness and competitive ability. An index value was calculated from the data, allowing…
Agricultural economics

Hilty R., Van Caenegem L.

FAT Modular Construction Standards for Farm Building Costs used as planning tool

Farm buildings account for a considerable part of the farm’s structural costs. Low-cost farm buildings are therefore required to ensure cost-effective production. As a space allocation plan can be realised in various manners, comparing different building options can help to find the �best solution’ with regard to functionality, investment demands and annual costs. The FAT…
Animal production

Nydegger F., Ammann H., Moriz Ch., Rutishauser R.

Comparison of feed-distribution systems for dairy cows

In a three-month trial involving two groups of 15 dairy cows each, Agroscope FAT Tänikon investigated whether mixing the feed components of the basic ration or distributing a non-mixed ration had an impact on feed intake and milk yield. In the mixed-ration system, the basic ration, consisting of various silages and ventilated hay, was distributed…
Animal production

Gutzwiller A., Czeglédi L., Stoll P., Bruckner L.

Fusarium toxins in pig feeds: efficacy of mycotoxin adsorbents

In two experiments using a total of 220 weaner pigs the hypothesis was tested that apple pomace alleviates the negative effects of Fusarium toxins in pigs. The two experiments had the same two-factor design: Fusarium contaminated vs. uncontaminated wheat, and 8% apple pomace vs. no pomace in the diet. Both trials yielded similar results and…

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