Swiss Agricultural Research – Archive of the Online Journal

Hoffet F., Blackford M., Burdet F., Steinemann B. and Mackie-Haas K.

Consumer acceptance plays a key role in the introduction of new grape varieties. An Agridea consumer survey reveals a great openness to fungus-tolerant varieties that lend themselves to particularly environmentally friendly cultivation methods.

Agridea, Agroscope, FiBL, University of Applied Sciences Changins, Centre for Viticulture Wädenswil

Animal production 31.03.21

Köke T., Ineichen S., Grenz J. and Reidy B.

Dairy farms are responsible for a significant proportion of greenhouse gases from agriculture. In order to quantify emissions at farm level and identify suitable emissions reduction measures, HAFL researchers developed a model for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms.

BFH-HAFL

Agricultural economics 23.03.21

Häberli I. and Contzen S.

In the coming years, farm succession will become a topical issue for many Swiss farming families. However, the process is demanding. A research and development project at BFH-HAFL highlights challenges and presents tools

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 22.03.21

Morel I., Delagarde R., Dufey P.-A., Schmid E., Aragon A., Sonet C. and Huguenin-Elie O.

An optimum grassland botanical composition is a key element of the efficient feeding of ruminants. The fattening cattle in this trial clearly preferred a grass/clover/chicory mixture to pure ryegrass.

Agroscope, INRAE

Animal production 15.03.21

Augsburger C., Rombach M. and Boessinger M.

The RumiWatch system is a smart farming tool, which enables an accurate detection of eating and rumination behaviours performed by dairy cows. The aim of the researchers was to check, if the system that was already established in science for its practical usage.

Agridea

Agricultural economics 11.03.21

S. Renner and N. El Benni

In order to increase the competitiveness of Swiss milk production, the performance of the farms must be improved. Agroscope shows that the majority of producers work efficiently, but that the differences in productivity are great.

Agroscope

Plant production 25.02.21

Sperling P., Rauch M. and Ramseier H.

BFH-HAFL investigated three non-hardy green-manure mixtures and their effect on organic maize: A legume-rich green manure showed very high nitrogen enrichment and a positive effect on the early juvenile development of maize.

BFH-HAFL

Plant production 04.02.21

Brunner S., Romeis J., Patocchi A. and Peter R.

A secured field on Agroscope’s Reckenholz site enables field research with genetically modified (GM) plants. In addition to research results, it provides findings on how GM plants might be handled in agriculture, as well as offering the public a window into this research.

Agroscope

Plant production 03.02.21

Drakopoulos D., Gimeno A., Kägi A., Jenny E., Bänziger I., Musa T., Forrer H. R. and Vogelgsang S.

Fungal toxins in wheat endanger the health of humans and animals. Agroscope investigated three cropping systems under reduced tillage to improve the quality and yield of wheat harvests using alternative crop protection strategies.

Agroscope

Plant production 21.01.21

Wüpper D., Roleff N., Finger R.

Fruit and wine producers who receive information from the public sector are more likely to use preventive measures such as nets or hygiene measures to combat spotted-wing drosophila. Producers advised by private firms that sell plant-protection products are more likely to use synthetic insecticides.

ETH Zurich

Environment 14.01.21

Konz N., Plath M.

Run-off and erosion contribute to the pollution of water by plant protection products. Targeted measures to reduce this pollution require detailed field analysis. Existing methods have now been compared for the first time in order to assess their suitability.

BFH-HAFL, Canton of Basel-Landschaft, Plattform Pflanzenschutzmittel und Gewässer (PPG)

Plant production 12.01.21

Buzzi F., Hiltbrunner J., Holzkämper A. and Calanca P.

Maize is one of the most important crops in Switzerland. Variety selection and site adaptation play a crucial role in maize cultivation in a changing climate. Heat-supply maps created by Agroscope help in the choice of suitable varieties.

Agroscope

Animal production 10.12.20

Lerch S., Oberson J.-L., Silacci P. and Morel I.

The Swiss ‘Green Book’ feeding recommendations for fattening cattle are no longer suitable for today’s animals and current production conditions. An updating of datasets for system calibration is essential.

Agroscope

Environment 02.12.20

Dietzel A., Zaffarano P., Stamm C.

In Swiss agriculture, conflicts arise between production and the protection of water resources. These were studied by means of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA): objectives are defined, evaluation functions proposed and measures analysed.

Eawag, FOAG

Animal production 26.11.20

Pauler C.M., Schneider M.K

The pastures of low-productive Highland Cattle are particularly species-rich because of their relatively low weight, undemandingness and slowness. This is borne out by Agroscope and AgroVet Strickhof studies.

Agroscope, AgroVet-Strickhof

Animal production 24.11.20

Wasem D., Probst S.

Livestock farming is sometimes criticised for creating competition between feed and food production. However, the animals fulfil an important function by recycling plant by-products and thus closing nutrient cycles.

BFH-HAFL

Animal production 20.11.20

Herholz C., Kocher J., Küng P.

In equine husbandry, dust and ammonia emmissions have an important impact on respiratory health. Eight different bedding materials were tested for these emissions using a standardized method.

BFH-HAFL, MUUTU AG

Environment 19.11.20

Graf R., Hagist D., Zellweger-Fischer J., Chevillat V., von Sury R. and Birrer S.

In the Swiss lowland, the quantity of biodiversity promoting areas (BPA, i.e. options of the Swiss agri-environment scheme) clearly exeeds the stipulated 7%.The quality of the BPA has been improved as well. However, three forth of the BPA are still barely recognizable as semi-natural areas in the field.

FiBL, Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach

Other 10.11.20

Pfister M., Feller S., Stöckli L.

The training programme for farmworkers imparts broad skills to academically weak learners. What chances do they have on the labour market today and in the future and how do they succeed in making the transition to further training?

BFH-HAFL

Plant production 06.11.20

R. Frick, D. Suter, E. Dereuder and H. Hirschi

Tall fescue is valued as a high-yielding, robust forage grass. For ley farming, fine-leaved, nutritious varieties which are well-liked by livestock are in demand. Agroscope’s most recent variety test has yielded two new top varieties.

Agroscope

Plant production 28.10.20

Bétrix C.-A., Schumpp O., Schori A., Brodard J., Dubuis N., De Groote J.-C., Bussereau F.

Despite its focus on other, higher-priority criteria, the soybean breeding programme in Switzerland has yielded varieties that are tolerant of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) – the most serious of the viral diseases.

Agroscope

Environment 22.10.20

Bystricky M., Nemecek T., Gaillard G.

In Switzerland, implementing the Drinking-Water Initiative would have positive consequences for the environment, but more food would have to be imported. A life-cycle assessment study by Agroscope analyses the overall impact.

Agroscope

Plant production 08.10.20

Visse-Mansiaux M., Tallant M., Curty F., Schwärzel R., Brostaux Y. and Dupuis B.

Chlorpropham (CIPC), the main sprout suppressant used when storing commercial potatoes, is now prohibited in Switzerland. Agroscope tested alternative substances in order to guarantee the production of indigenous chips and crisps.

Agroscope, fenaco, Université de Liège

Animal production 08.10.20

Quander-Stoll N., Leubin M., Holinger M., Früh B. and Leiber F.

100%-organic feeding of piglets has been discussed for a long time. A feeding trial on commercial farms shows that completely organic diets are suitable for piglets, and that their introduction is facilitated by a longer suckling period.

FiBL

Environment 29.09.20

Korkaric M., Hanke I., Grossar D., Neuweiler R., Christ B., Wirth J., Hochstrasser M., Dubuis P.-H., Kuster T., Breitenmoser S., Egger B., Perren S., Schürch S., Aldrich A., Jeker L., Poiger T., Daniel O.

Agroscope examined whether it is possible to forgo the use of PPPs with a high risk potential for the environment. The results show that this would make effective crop protection more difficult, especially for field and vegetable crops, but also in organic farming.

Agroscope

Environment 25.09.20

Albrecht M. et al.

Sown wildflower strips improve pest control, and diverse, perennial strips also improve pollination services. Hedgerows in Switzerland yielded good results, while internationally effects were inconsistent. The effects on yield were variable.

Agroscope

Food 18.09.20

Bachmann H.-P., Fröhlich M.-T., Bisig W.

A strong immune system is important for health. Foods that are rich in propionic acid, such as Emmental cheese, have a supportive effect, and are a possible alternative to compounds with synthetically produced propionic acid.

Agroscope

Environment 31.08.20

Maurer C., Müller D., Lanfranchi M., Weisskopf P., Oberholzer H., Walder F.

Microbial activity in the soil is an indicator of soil health. An analysis of data series from the cantonal soil-monitoring networks over a ten-year period confirms textbook knowledge and shows what we need to look out for.

Agroscope, Amt für Landwirtschaft und Natur Kanton Bern, Abteilung Umwelt Kanton Aargau, Amt für Natur und Umwelt Kanton Graubünden

Environment 25.08.20

Chiaia-Hernández A.C., Scheringer M., Müller A., Stieger G., Wächter D., Keller A., Pintado-Herrera M.G., Lara-Martin P.A., Bucheli T.D. und Hollender J.

Researchers from Agroscope, Eawag and ETH have developed a method for the comprehensive detection of organic pollutant residues in soils and sediments. Initial results show that, in addition to known substances, there are also a number of substances detected for the first time.

Agroscope, Eawag, ETH Zurich, University of Bern

Plant production 11.08.20

Suter D., Frick R., Hirschi H.

White Clover is an important element of intensively used meadows and pastures. Of the 19 varieties tested by Agroscope, two new top varieties came out clear winners for nearly all traits.

Agroscope

Archive

Swiss Wine of the Future – What Expectations do Consumers Have?

KLIR: A Model for Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Dairy Farms

Tackling Farm Succession Holistically and at an Early Stage

Bovine Appetite Is Stimulated by Multi-Species Herbage Mixtures

The RumiWatch System: Automated Feeding and Health Monitoring for Dairy Cows

Swiss Dairy Farms – Economic Performance Potential and Limits

Non-Hardy Green-Manure Mixtures in No-Till Organic Maize Cultivation

Protected Site: Seven Years of Field Research with Genetically Modified Plants

Fungal Toxins in Wheat: Innovative Cropping Systems Reduce Fusarium Mycotoxins

Public and Private Extension Influence Pest-Control Strategies

Losses of plant protection products to water: what is the best risk assessment method?

Maize Cultivation: Maps of Accumulated Temperatures Support the Choice of Varieties

‘Green Book’ Guidelines No Longer Suitable for Estimating Net Energy Requirements for Beef Production

Managing Conflicting Objectives in Agricultural Production and Water Resource Protection

Not All Cows Are Alike: Cattle Breed Affects Pasture Vegetation and Diversity

Livestock Recycle By-Products from the Food Industry

Equine Health: Dust and Ammonia Emissions from Eight Different Bedding Materials

Quantity and Quality of Semi-Natural Elements within the Swiss Lowland Farmland

How do EBA-Qualified Farmworkers Manage to Enter the Labour Market?

Tall Fescue: Two Very Good New Cultivars Round Out the List of Recommended Varieties

Swiss Soybean Cultivars Are Able to Deal with Soybean Mosaic Virus

Drinking-Water Initiative: Better Water Quality in Switzerland, Higher Environmental Impacts Abroad

Potato Varieties for Chips and Crisps Stored without CIPC: A Major Challenge

Is 100%-Organic Feeding for Piglets Possible?

High-Risk Plant Protection Products – Is Effective Crop Protection Possible Without Them?

Sown Wildflower Strips and Hedgerows – Good for Pest Control, Pollination and Yields?

Traditional Foods as Alternatives to Synthetic Compounds

Measuring Life in the Soil

Early Recognition and Systematic Recording of Organic Pollutants in Soils and Sediments

White Clover at its Finest: the New Recommendations Calimero and RGT Gabby