Archive

The level of burden involved in working on a farm cannot be determined solely on the basis of working hours, workforce availability or model calculations. A study involving 571 Swiss farms reveals significant differences between a measured and perceived workload burden.

Two thirds of Swiss farmers have already reached their personal limits — yet specialised help is rarely sought. A nationwide network shows why and how this can change.

Mountain and livestock farming are widely seen as closely linked. Yet climate risks, market pressures and societal change are limiting the strategic options available to many farms. Crop diversification can extend it in site-adapted ways.

Is Swiss agriculture adapted to local site conditions? Agroscope and the Federal Office for Agriculture evaluated three scenarios. In the most sustainable, the arable land surface is similar to the current surface, but some of this land is at different locations.

Copper is widely used in Swiss viticulture—but is increasingly under pressure due to environmental risks. A new study by ETH Zurich shows how its use can be reduced. Which measures make the difference?

Agri-photovoltaics can combine agriculture and electricity production in the canton of Zurich in a meaningful way. The feasibility study shows economic potential – but with site-dependent uncertainties and high planning and approval requirements.

A systematic literature review shows that battery electric tractors can be economically viable under specific conditions – especially with high annual usage, light-duty tasks, the integration of renewable energies, and a suitable policy framework.

Effective agricultural extension services create new value chains and optimise existing ones. An inter-cantonal, cross-organisational project demonstrates how practical, strategic collaboration can make Swiss agriculture fit for the future.

A lack of trust in farmers can undermine a functional food system and lead to stricter regulations. A survey conducted in German-speaking Switzerland compared levels of trust in crop versus livestock farmers and identified key factors for a targeted agricultural policy.

Switzerland remains dependent on family farm labour, although non-family employment is increasing, and hiring difficulties are becoming more visible. This study analyses the working conditions of regular farm employees and identifies the factors of longer employment durations.

The agglomeration bonus payments and the landscape quality payments are to be merged into a new payment scheme for regional biodiversity and landscape quality. This study evaluates the planned merger from the perspective of agricultural policy literature.

This article describes how digitalisation in the Swiss agricultural sector has evolved from 2018 to the present day. It also outlines the measures required for successful digitalisation.

Plant species diversity in intensively managed grasslands can act like a natural insurance against drought risk by reducing production variability. This reduction persists even at increased drought risks.

This article summarises all papers published by Agroscope and ETH that deal with the perception of agricultural policy of both farmers and the rest of the population. It highlights what must be borne in mind when developing policy measures so as to achieve broad acceptance of an integrated agricultural and food policy. An effective agricultural…

Swiss summer farms lack qualified and experienced staff, partly because workers are spending fewer summers on the alps. The shortage of staff and loss of experience can have a negative impact on the sustainable management of the alpine pastures.

A study conducted by Agroscope and ETH Zurich surveyed the opinions of both farmers and the rest of the population with respect to agricultural policy goals, revealing both shared and divergent views.

A study examines the economic drivers of the optimal productive lifespan of dairy cows in two Swiss production systems.

Swiss citizens think that government, farmers, retailers and consumers are jointly responsible for transitioning towards more sustainable food systems. These are the findings of two surveys conducted by Agroscope and ETH Zürich.

The use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine is to be further reduced. It is crucial for farms that their competitiveness does not suffer as a result.

Acceptance of future digital technologies among farmers depends not only on how open the farmers are to digitalisation, but also primarily on concrete, farm-specific risk-benefit assessments.

Agroscope investigated the Swiss population’s acceptance of digital technologies. Tools and technologies were rated more positively in plant production than in animal husbandry.

Scientists measured tree growth in four agroforestry systems over a ten-year period and calculated carbon storage from their findings. This data helps us to better understand, plan and implement agroforestry systems, and to assess their climate-change mitigation impact.

Stable yields are essential to ensure agricultural profitability. Two key measures are needed to limit future losses: adapting cultivation methods to the site and selecting heat- and drought-resistant varieties.

Agroscope and the BFH-HAFL investigated the resilience of summer farms. Although the farms were resilient as far as cheese production was concerned, they were less so in terms of landscape management and labour retention. Innovations and improved labour conditions could help remedy the situation.

The capitalised earnings value level is an important basis for assessing the value of farms, e.g. at the time of their handover. Agroscope refined the historically developed calculation method using company valuation methods.

Drones can save time when looking for livestock or checking the condition of fences on summer pastures. Researchers at Agroscope have studied the factors that influence the use of drones in summer farming.