Newsroom 2024
Feeding Pigs According to Their Nutrient Requirements Reduces Nutrient Losses
The protein and phosphorus requirements of pigs change according to life phase. Optimised phase feeding can improve nutrient efficiency and reduce the import of feedstuffs. New Agroscope factsheets highlight how this can be achieved and examine trade-offs.
Site-Specific Fertilisation Ensures Yields and Reduces Nitrogen Surpluses.
Further information is available in the following languages:German, French, Italian.
Nitrogen Fertilisation: Calculation Methods And Recommendations Vary in Europe
Differences of up to 100 kg nitrogen per hectare, depending on the country: fertilisation recommendations are not the same throughout Europe.
Updated Recommendations for Berry Fertilisation
The principles of fertilisation (GRUD) are of great importance for agricultural practice and extension. Agroscope has now updated the module ‘Fertilisation of Berry Crops’.
New Alliance for Viticulture, Fruit and Vegetable Growing
Agroscope as well as research and sectoral partners from Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are signing a joint Memorandum of Understanding, thereby strengthening their cooperation for research and education in viticulture, fruit and vegetable growing.
Science of Fungi in Grapevine: New Open Sccess Book
The reference book on fungal diseases of the grapevine has been comprehensively updated. It is currently available in English free of charge through open access.
Asiatic Knotweeds: Also a Threat to Agriculture
Asiatic knotweeds are exotic invasive plants and represent a threat to agricultural production and biodiversity. The ‘Neobiota’ Competence Centre in Cadenazzo (Canton of Ticino) has developed new knowledge to optimise control of these problematic rhizomatous species.
Adapting Fruit and Berry Cultures to Climate Change
Die Anpassung der Obst- und Beerenkulturen an den Klimawandel stand am 12. November im Mittelpunkt der Diskussionen in Bern. Die Veranstaltung (FuturLab) wurde vom Kompetenznetzwerk Obst und Beeren (KOB) organisiert.
Report on the Nutrient Balance of Swiss Agriculture
The annual nutrient balance report produced by Agroscope on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture highlights the nitrogen and phosphorus surplus trends from 1975 to 2022. Since the 2014/2016 period these surpluses have fallen by almost 10%.
Sheep and Goats Feed Selectively
Dairy sheep and goats pick their favourite components out of mixed rations, thereby substantially altering the composition of the feed within a short space of time. This makes the use of mixed rations for small ruminants challenging.
AI and Automation in the Agriculture and Food Sector
At the Agro-Food Innovation Forum on Thursday 28 November, the ‘SF Institute for Intelligent Systems and Smart Farming of the OST University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland will be officially welcomed as the new Agroscope partner at the Tänikon site, including the Living Lab.
New Cheese Ripening Method: Dairies and Textile Firms Take the Lead
The scientific issues concerning the new cheese ripening method have been resolved and a textile has been developed that meets all the requirements. Together with the industry, it was decided that the cheese dairies and textile companies would take implementation forward from this point.
Principles of Fertilisation in Transition
The Swiss fertilisation recommendations have developed impressively: from a simple application table in 1938 to comprehensive recommendations for all crops in 2017. Digitalisation is opening up new challenges and opportunities.
Support Association for Swiss Plant Breeding Center Founded
The ‘Swiss Plant Breeding Center’ SPBC – the network for Swiss stakeholders in the plant breeding and breeding research sectors – now has recourse to a support association. Together with the SPBC, the association aims to promote knowledge sharing and the use of new methods in applied plant breeding.
Emmentaler Dolce – a Young Cheese with Bags of Flavour
Together with the Emmentaler variety organisation, Agroscope has developed the scientific bases for a new recipe for an Emmentaler-type cheese boasting more flavour and a more supple curd with a short ripening period. This potentially makes it a competitive alternative to popular non-Swiss large-eyed cheeses.
Agroscope launches WhatsApp channel to inform practitioners
Aimed at agricultural practitioners, the information is shared on our WhatsApp channels 'Agroscope_fr' (French) and 'Agroscope_de' (German).
Successful Monitoring of a Vegetable Pest
The cotton bollworm is an invasive pest in vegetable crops. In 2024, Agroscope and partners have launched a national monitoring programme to detect the occurrence of the pest at an early stage, optimise the use of insecticides and avoid higher yield losses.
A Possible New Disease of Franches-Montagnes Horses
Agroscope is supporting a research project conducted by the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Bern that aims to develop a test capable of identifying Franches-Montagnes horses that have a specific genetic defect. This defect could be responsible for a potentially incurable metabolic disease.
Flower Diversity Protects Wild Bees from Virus Transmission
An article recently published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution investigated the risk of virus transmission from honeybees to wild pollinators and between different wild pollinator species.
A Thumbs up for Raw Milk Products
The knowledge and skills needed to produce safe, high-quality raw milk products already exists. A new Agroscope publication explains how. It summarises the key findings of last year’s conference of the FACEnetwork, a European network of farmhouse and artisan cheese and dairy producers.
Preventing Broad-Leaved Dock Infestation
Broad-leaved dock crowds out forage plants, reduces forage quality and quantity, and has a high potential for spreading via rhizomes and seeds. There are, however, several preventive measures that can be taken to rein in this weed.
Meat Production in Areas with POP Contamination
Can meat be safely produced in areas contaminated by persistent organic pollutants (POP), also known as eternity chemicals? A case study shows that depuration of livestock is feasible and expands scientific knowledge on the subject.
Three Workshops with External Stakeholders
Three workshops on needs assessment for Agroscope’s new 2026–2029 Work Programme have taken place with external stakeholders in recent weeks. Around 130 representatives from 70 organisations took part.
Chips from Early Potatoes Are Also Tasty
Agroscope is testing new, very early varieties for processing them into chips. These varieties show surprisingly good results.
How environmental pollutants accumulate in livestock and what can be done about it
Investigations conducted by the canton of St Gallen have revealed high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in samples of beef meat. Agroscope is studying the transfer of these ‘forever chemicals’ in ruminants, thereby contributing to ensuring the meat and milk safety.
Agroscope utilises the interactions between plants and insects for plant protection
Did you know that pests choose their host plants according to certain criteria?With this knowledge, pests in crops can be better controlled.
Mit Far-UV-C- (222 nm) gegen Echten Mehltau bei Erdbeeren
Agroscope führt einen innovativen Versuch mit einem Gerät durch, das UV-C-Licht mit einer Wellenlänge von 222 Nanometern emittiert und Echten Mehltau und Spinnmilben in Erdbeerkulturen bekämpfen soll. Der Prototyp wird derzeit am Standort Conthey in einem Folientunnel getestet.
Indigenous Parasitoids for the Control of an Exotic Grapevine Leafminer
The alien leafminer moth Aspilanta oinophylla is causing growing damage in the vineyards of Ticino. Agroscope's ‘Neobiota’ Competence Centre endeavours to promote natural interactions between the pest and indigenous parasitoids.
New Protective Culture from Agroscope Prevents Faulty Fermentation in Cheese Production
Agroscope has developed a protective culture against butyric acid fermentation, which can cause millions of CHF-worth of damage in the cheese sector. The culture prevents the formation of undesirable gases and negative changes in the taste of the cheese.
Predatory Mite Against the Tomato Rust Mite
A recent study shows the potential of a new biocontrol strategy against the tomato rust mite.
Grazing Dairy Cows Adapt their Behaviour to Heat Stress
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.
Alpine and Mountain Agriculture: Adapting to a Rapidly Changing World
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.
Limiting the Amount of Concentrates and Crude Protein Content Reduces Nitrogen Losses
Agroscope has calculated that limiting concentrates to 365 kg per cow and year and a maximum concentrate crude protein content of 18% could make a positive contribution to the nitrogen reduction path without negatively impacting profitability.
Free e-Learning Course on Sustainable Agriculture
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.
Study on Climate-Resilient Arable Farming
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.
Virtual Fencing without Long-Term Stress for Cows
Agroscope researchers tested a virtual fencing system that delimits the pastures without a physical barrier, using acoustic and electrical signals only. The cows quickly learned the system without longer-term negative effects on animal welfare.
Predictable yield increases thanks to mycorrhizal fungi inoculation in maize
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.