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Environment

Jäggi W., Weisskopf P., Oberholzer H.-R., Zihlmann U.

The earthworm populations in two soils

The relation between earthworm populations and site properties was studied in a gleyic and in a calcaric cambisol. In the wet gleyic cambisol the earthworm biomass was 54 % higher than in the drier calcaric cambisol. By increasing the aeration of the soil and a more intense mixing of organic and mineral soil constituents, earthworms…
Agricultural economics

Schelske O., Seidl I.

A case study on the growing and marketing of old land races

This paper deals with biodiversity conservation by economic activities in the food and nutrition sector. A case study about the growing and marketing of the wheat species Emmer (Triticum dicoccum) in the region Schaffhausen analyses necessary success factors for the development of similar regional economic activities. Such success factors are the involved regional production capabilities,…
Animal production

Thomet P., Rätzer H., Durgiai B.

Efficiency: the key to profitable dairying

For profitable dairying, efficient high yielding dairy cows are needed. They can be characterised by a high feed conversion efficiency of over 1.2 kg energy corrected milk per kilogram annual dry matter consumption, by a low age at first calving and a long productive heard life. The annual milk yield is not a sufficient efficiency…
Environment

Mann S., Wüstemann H.

Structure and costs of different protected areas

The Swiss National Park, Biosphere Reserve Entlebuch and Wetland Preserve Glaubenberg in the cantons Obwalden and Luzern are compared with regard to their administrative structure and their costs. It becomes clear that the National Park is administered with more staff than the other areas, as informational services are offered to a large extent. That implies…
Environment

Zihlmann U., Weisskopf P., Bohren C., Dubois D.

Soil nitrogen dynamics in different maize cropping systems

For a better understanding of soil nitrogen dynamics in maize cropping systems, Nmin content of soil and soil water samples from 0 to 100 cm depth were measured periodically in a loamy Cambisol near Zurich, Switzerland, from 1998 to 2000. Maize was sown either with conventional tillage (CT), rotary band seeding (RBS), or no-tillage (NT)…
Plant production

Bohren C., Ammon H.-U., Dubois D., Streit B.

Impact of different cultivation techniques on yield of maize silage

During the early growth of conventionally cropped maize, the soil surface is usually uncovered for nearly two months. Frequent heavy rainfalls, typical for Switzerland in spring, increase the risk of soil erosion. Cropping systems with reduced tillage intensity are suitable measures to prevent these negative environmental impacts. With rotary band seeding, a new system for…
Food

Thomet A., Sieber R., Gugolz R., Gantenbein-Demarchi C.

Efficient conservation of microorganisms by flow bed-drying

The process of flow bed drying has been used for the conservation of several different products for some time. Preliminary experiments for the conservation of lactic acid bacteria gave positive results. Commercial use of the flow bed-drying technology for the conservation and confectioning of microorganisms used in fermentation processes seems to be realisable, however, further…
Animal production

Dufey P.-A., Chambaz A.

Carcass qulity of steers of six beef breeds

Carcass quality was investigated in 138 steers of the six beef breeds Angus (AN), Simmental (SI), Charolais (CH), Limousin (LI), Blonde d’Aquitaine (BL) and Piedmontese (PI). In one group, steers were slaughtered at the same finishing degree defined by the fat grading class 3 (CH-TAX, optimally fattened), and in the other group, upon attaining an…
Animal production

Kreuzer M.

Potential of rarely used animal feed

Results from experiments on the potential of rarely employed animal feeds are presented. Oilseeds are suitable when fed to growing ruminants in order to modify the product quality (especially the shelf life of the meat) and to reduce methane emission. The oilseeds investigated (canola, sunflower, flax) had a slightly different effect. Sunflower seed, although particularly…
Plant production

Keiser A., Häberli M., Schnyder E., Berchier P., Häni F.

Quality assurance in potato production

In recent years, quality problems in Swiss potato production have increased. In an on-farm experiment on 93 plots all relevant management, site and quality parameters are studied. The results can be summarised as follows: In 2001, only 30% of the plots fulfilled the Swiss quality standard without sorting out damaged tubers. For 19% the quality…
Environment

Bigler F., Babendreier D., Kuske S.

Ecological risks due to biological control of the European corn borer with Trichogramma

The exotic egg parasitoid Trichogramma brassicae, which originates from the northern part of the Black Sea area, is successfully used for biological control of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). In a four years project, we evaluated if mass releases of the parasitic wasp may pose a risk to non-target insect populations, in particular to…

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