The effectiveness of an application of foliar nitrogen at veraison depends on the initial level of vine nitrogen deficiency, an Agroscope study has shown. The threshold levels of assimilable nitrogen deficiency in the grape must are validated for Chardonnay but still need to be confirmed for Sauvignon Blanc.
Organic farming has a positive effect on plant diversity in Swiss grassland, but ecological focus areas are needed support plant diversity more broadly.
Professionally managed dairy sheep and dairy goat farms are increasingly using mixed rations. The composition of rations fed in practice and the resulting milk yield potential were analysed.
Agroscope researchers conducted an online survey to investigate the attitudes of Swiss consumers to agricultural policy goals in all three language regions. The results should help better shape agricultural policy.
Farmers are faced with the challenge of producing in both a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Researchers from three research institutions investigated how this challenge can be met and where the limits lie. Their results have been made available in a free e-learning tool.
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 fourth trip takes us to the Girenbad cheese dairy.
Staphylococcus aureus can produce toxins in food that cause sickness and diarrhoea. A new study contributes to a better understanding of toxin-producing bacterial strains and suggests that toxins can occur in food production despite hygiene measures.
Agrivoltaics combines energy generation and agricultural production on the same land. Although this system is eliciting increasing interest, its success depends on numerous factors and the most compatible crops have yet to be identified.
While botanical composition, growth cycle and phenological stage are integral factors, they are not the sole determinants of the quality of grass silages from intensively managed permanent meadows.
Metschnikowia pulcherrima is a naturally occurring yeast with applications in agriculture, the food industry and biotechnology. Agroscope is investigating this yeast in particular with regard to biocontrol applications in plant protection.
Agroscope has been granted approval by the Federal Office for the Environment for a field trial with spring barley. The focus is on a barley gene that has been disabled by new breeding techniques. The trial, which will be launched in spring 2024, aims to determine whether yields can be increased.
Soil management lies at the heart of major global warming and sustainable viticulture issues. In this context, inter-row plant cover in vineyards comes with its share of benefits and drawbacks.
Agroscope studied how grass-based farms can produce both economically and in an ecologically sound manner. Find out more in the video and in the article published in Swiss Agricultural Research.
Orchard crop spraying using unmanned aerial spraying systems commonly referred to as drones can lead to drift, posing a risk to residents and bystanders. The study shows that the risks arising from this are taken into account by the current registration process.
On behalf of Schweizer Hagel, fenaco and the Swiss Farmers’ Union, Agroscope has established a study on climate-resilient arable farming in 2035, with the topic of drought at the centre of the study.
Agroscope researchers tested a virtual fencing system that delimits the pastures without a physical barrier, using acoustic and electrical signals only.
Food that is unsuitable for human consumption does not affect the growth performance or carcass composition of pigs to which it is fed. This makes it a promising solution for reducing food waste.
Researchers were able to show that inoculating maize fields with mycorrhizal fungi can increase harvest yields. In addition, indicators were found for predicting the success of the measure. The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature Microbiology.
The SALCA life cycle assessment method was comprehensively updated in light of new needs, systematically documented and reviewed by external specialists. This will allow a wide range of research issues in the agriculture and food sector to be addressed.