In view of global and national population growth, it is essential that agricultural production be boosted without putting an additional strain on the environment. That is why we are working on more-efficient, environmentally compatible methods in animal husbandry and plant production.
The goals of Agroscope's breeding programs are to provide high-performance varieties that make it possible to promote respect for the environment and product quality. Considerable weight is thus given to improving genetic resistance to fungal diseases...
The 'Seed Quality' Research Group helps ensure that the Swiss agricultural sector has access to certified seed. We carry out field inspections to ensure the varietal identity and varietal purity of our seed.
Cultivar studies of arable crops in order to identify varieties which can be adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of this country, are resistant to diseases while preserving the environment, comply with the various quality criteria required by the market.
"Conservation agriculture" (CA) aims to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture and subsequently aims at improved livelihoods of farmers through the application of the three CA principles: minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop rotations.
The nutrition and fertilisation of agricultural crops is a key element of agricultural production. Advances leading to the production of fertilisers have had a fundamental impact on agricultural production and on the development of societies.
The opening of the borders can cause a strong increase of low-cost foreign fruits importation, creating a strong economic pressure for Swiss producers. In this context, the Swiss production has to aim at high fruit quality, high work efficiency and environment-friendly production techniques respectful of social conditions.
The areas in the South of the Alps have different pedologic, climatic and ecologic caracteristics than those of other Swiss areas. In consequence, several phytosanitary problems are specific for that area or are amplified in their frequency of their severity.
We develop methods for the biological and integrated control of harmful insects and mites in field crops and special crops. We monitor pests which are new to Switzerland and develop mathematical models for use in computer-aided forecasting and warning services.
The virology-photoplasmology laboratory performs molecular and serological diagnoses as well as the epidemiological monitoring of viral and phytoplasma diseases of plants cultivated in Switzerland (all crops), and of bacterial diseases in field crops and special crops (except for arboriculture and horticulture).
Milk and beef are two of the most important production branches of Swiss agriculture. Agroscope helps to ensure that ruminants are fed in accordance with their requirements and that Swiss natural resources are utilised efficiently.
The feeding and health of suckler sows, piglets and fattening pigs are elements crucial to economic success in pork production: they also guarantee a premium quality product - pork meat - for the Swiss consumer.
Everyone who drinks milk and eats meat wants reassurance that farm animals are housed according to their needs. At Agroscope, housing systems for ruminants and pigs are tested in terms of animal welfare.
The Swiss National Stud contributes decisively to the long-term preservation of the Franches-Montagnes horse through the keeping of FM breeding stallions and through its research in the field of population management.
Meadows and pastures are ideal for producing top-quality roughage cost-efficiently. It is especially worthwhile for both forage production and for the environment if the plant species used are grown as a mixture.
The aims of diverse forage growing as the central component of sustainable production systems can only be achieved by using locally adapted, competitive, perennial varieties that are resistant to the main pests.