What do ecological focus areas in Swiss farmland contribute? Agroscope experts summarised their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services in a literature survey.
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.
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.
What experience do artisan farms and businesses have in the manufacture of raw-milk products? In association with the Centre of Excellence for Raw-Milk Products, Agroscope researcher Hans-Peter Bachmann visits farms all over Switzerland. The fifth trip takes us to the O'lait cheese dairy in St-Imier.
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.
Heat stress is a growing threat to the welfare, health and productivity of dairy cows, especially on the pasture. Commercial farms need simple indicators that enable farmers to detect heat stress at an early stage.
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.
A small population of the Japanese beetle was first found north of the Alps in Switzerland in Zurich-Kloten in 2023. Some individuals have now been discovered in Basel. The Cantons and federal government are working together towards a solution.
For three years now, the Alpine and Mountain Agriculture Experimental Station has been helping farms at higher altitudes deal with increasingly demanding production conditions. In a meeting of tradition and technology, ongoing trials and initial results were presented to the media on 2 July in the Canton of Graubünden. Below, some information on the projects (only in German, French and Italian).
Agroscope’s idea of growing wet rice in flooded fields is becoming economically attractive. In addition to successful brands such as ‘Aare Riis’, natural paradises for rare wading birds, dragonflies and frogs are being created on drained land in need of rehabilitation.
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.
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.
With the aim of pooling scientific skills and resources, Agroscope is stepping up cooperation with other Swiss Federal Laboratories such as Spiez Laboratory and the Institute for Virology and Immunology IVI.
On behalf of the Swiss Confederation, Agroscope investigated the effects of security-of-supply contributions and border protection on biodiversity. Based on this and further studies, the Swiss Federal Council is now testing targeted improvements to federal subsidies.
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.
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.
In the CROPDIVA project, Agroscope aims to promote the mixed intercropping of lupins and lentils with oats or hull-less barley. The goal is to increase biodiversity and crop yield in the face of extreme weather events; see video.
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.
