Annual Report 2012

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Annual Report 2012

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Animal welfare is important to Swiss society. Agroscope develops and tests animal-friendly and species-appropriate housing systems which also comply with the principles of organic agriculture.

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Mission Statement 04 Foreword 05 Agroscope Research Programmes 06

ACW

Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil 10

ALP-Haras

Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux 18

ART

Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon 26

Organic Research by Agroscope and the FiBL 34

Reorganisation of Agroscope 36

Programme Research/Research Programmes 37

State Accounts 2012 42

Locations 44

Organisation Chart 45

Key Figures 45

Addresses 46

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Agroscope Annual Report 2012

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Mission Statement

Agroscope – Agricultural Research for Switzerland

Agroscope is part of the Federal Office for Agriculture and consists of the three research stations Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux ALP-Haras and Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART. Since the beginning of 2008, ALP and the Swiss National Stud Farm in Avenches are under joint management as ALP-Haras.

Agroscope – the Vision

Agriculture for mankind and the environment: we carry out research on behalf of healthy food and a landscape worth living in.

Agroscope – Objective and Purpose

In agricultural research, Agroscope is the driving force for sustainable development in the agricultural, nutritional and environmental sector. It compiles scientific knowledge and technical guidelines for agricultural and environmental-policy decisions and the enforcement of legislation.

Agroscope – Orientation

Agroscope is geared to the needs of its clients: people working in agriculture, as well as consumers, the general public and administrative bodies. It promotes a multifunctional, competitive Swiss agricultural sector whilst bearing in mind economic, ecological and social concerns.

Agroscope is geared to future challenges, gives transdisciplinary and innovative system approaches their due importance, and works in an application-oriented manner.

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Foreword

Researching for Organic Farming

Breeding and research are key for the further development of organic farming. In Switzerland, it is primarily the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Oberwil (FiBL) and Agroscope, the Swiss Federal Agricultural Research Station, which carry out applied research for the benefit of organic farming. Whilst all FiBL projects are fully organic and are run on a certified organic farm, Agroscope also runs projects with organic variants or with explicit benefit for organic agriculture, but which are not conducted on organic farms. All told, Agroscope defines over 20%

of its workdays as being devoted to projects which are at least in part of benefit for organic farming.

A clear division of duties between Agroscope and the FiBL is important. All forms of cooperation, for instance the joint use of infrastructure, equipment and knowhow, or common forums, platforms and conferences, are systematically promoted. The aim is to produce maximum impact with jointly produced knowledge.

The Organic Research Coordinating Group, in which Agroscope and the FiBL are represented, coordinates organic research in Switzerland on behalf of the Federal Office for Agriculture. This group also organises an annual organic research conference in which individuals from research, education, extension and practice take part.

The present report is intended to give the reader an insight into how, and in which spheres, Agroscope conducts research for the benefit of organic farming. Among other things, Agroscope develops and tests biodiversity indicators, controls dock leaves with hot water and wireworms with fungi, helps dairy cows make more efficient use of pastures by feeding them lower levels of concentrates, breeds apricot varieties that are suitable for organic farming, and tests alternative approaches for sustainable apple growing. Have a look at the selected highlights here and see for yourself.

Because research as part of a network is both efficient and effective, Agroscope has not only launched its own research programmes, but has also taken part in national and international ones. In this way, Agroscope makes a contribution to international projects, and in turn is given direct access to research findings from abroad.

Bernard Lehmann Michael Gysi

President of the Agroscope Council Head of Agroscope

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Programme research is an essential pillar for Agroscope that will need further strengthening in future. The starting point of commitment to programme research is the realisation that finding answers to current, socially relevant questions and practical solutions for key problems of the Swiss agri-food industry requires a multidisciplinary research approach. Thanks to its wide range of competencies, Agroscope is ideally placed for this. In order to make increased use of existing synergy potentials in a cross-project network, Agroscope and other involved institutions coordinate their research and communication activities.

The three current Agroscope Research Programmes (ARPs) as well as the national platform Profi-Lait, in which both Agroscope and other partners are involved, deal with core issues on future trends in the agri-food industry, to wit: the future of competitive plant production in Switzerland (ProfiCrops), the importance of the food chain from cultivation to consumption in terms of food quality and safety (NutriScope), agriculture's contribution to the sustainable development of mountain areas (AgriMontana), and the promotion of professional dairy production (Profi-Lait). These topics slot directly into the strategy priorities of 'safe and competitive food production and supply', 'efficient use of resources and sustainable consumption', and 'vitality and attractiveness of rural areas' formulated in the Agri-Food Chain 2025 discussion paper. Above all, safe food production, resource efficiency and sustainable consumption are very closely bound up with the issue of the optimal production system and organic farming.

Although the ARPs do not focus on organic-farming issues as a matter of priority, they do at least partially cover aspects such as especially sustainable and animal-friendly forms of production and their ecological, economic and social ramifications, and even touch on resource-friendly nutrition. In concrete terms, the projects forming part of the programmes deal with issues along the entire value chain, from cultivation and the production of plant and animal products right up to the consumer-ready product. The spectrum here ranges from production-oriented research topics such as the grazing behaviour of cows under organic- farming conditions, to fire-blight-tolerant apple and pear varieties for organic growing, to the profitability of organic milk production in the mountain area, all the way to the consumer- oriented life-cycle assessment of products.

ProfiCrops, NutriScope and AgriMontana are set to conclude at the end of 2013. Profi-Lait, which is in its third extension, is secure until the end of 2015. Agroscope will still be involved in programme research after the conclusion of the current ARP. Operating on a sound financial footing, the new Agroscope Research Programmes are being planned in 2013 and will be launched in 2014 at the latest.

Agroscope Research Programmes Networked Knowledge for

(Organic) Agriculture

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ProfiCrops

For Sustainable Plant Production

Run by Agroscope with the support of Profi- Crops on 8 February 2012 in Changins, the Journée Agriculture demonstrated that a majority of the research results from the field of integrated production are also relevant for organic agriculture, and provided a chance to reflect on future prospects.

As part of the associated WIN4 project, a method demonstrating ways of reducing the diffusion of plant-protection products into waters while at the same time promoting biodiversity was developed and tested. This method allows identification of areas at high risk of matter loss.

In addition, research work is intended to boost profitability at producer level, promote a healthy diet, and respond to the needs of both consumers and the market. A study has shown that horizontal product differentiation based on the product’s use should continue to be applied, whilst respecting, among other things, the crop-rotation aspects.

Lastly, 2013, the final year of ProfiCrops, was planned with a view to the capitalisation and dissemination of the research results. A number of articles in the journal Agrarforschung Schweiz and a synthesis report are planned, as well as various events like the international workshop on fire blight of the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS) in July 2013, which is being organised by Agroscope in partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich.

NutriScope

New Avenues of Communication:

Online with Foodle.ch

NutriScope is blazing new trails in communication with the launch of the independent web platform Foodle.ch. Since 1st July 2012, Foodle has provided the wider public with objective, unbiased and transparent information on food and nutrition. The platform is financed by the membership fees of the partners.

Launched by Agroscope, the initiative today already encompasses 27 partners from non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and federal agencies, as well as from business, education and research. Business is represented by the industry associations.

The website draws attention to current information from the world of food and nutrition on a daily basis. In addition to exciting content on different foods and ways of eating, edu- cational opportunities and research projects on these topics are offered. The reports are easy to understand, quality-tested, and come from organisations and institutions that are recog- nised throughout Switzerland. Also directed at an international readership, Foodle.ch pro- duces content in German, French and English.

Boasting an attractive design and interactivity (videos, podcasts, etc.), the Foodle.ch website appeals to a wide target audience. The social networks Facebook and Twitter are heavily used to disseminate information, enabling direct communication with the internet community.

Agroscope Research Programmes

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AgriMontana

Organic Pays Off for Dairy Farmers in the Mountain Area

The AgriMontana research programme deals with agriculture's contributions to sustainable development in the mountain area. Main focal points in the year under review were inter alia the continuation of the work for maintaining an open cultural landscape with minimal uti- lisation strategies; various assessments of the economic situation of mountain farms; and an in-depth analysis of the expected effects of the 2014 – 2017 agricultural policy on the mountain landscape.

Organic farming plays a key role in mountain agriculture. In 2011, a total of 3,118 organic farms in the mountain region cultivated nearly a quarter of the utilised agricultural area. Dairy production is an important branch of organic farming. Despite this, the detailed structural development evaluation shows that an above- average number of commercial dairy farms exited organic farming between 2003 and 2011. In a survey, they cited economic factors, among other things, as a reason for this. Such statements, however, contradict the findings of an accounting analysis of comparable dairy farms. The said analysis stresses that organic production is economically advantageous for dairy farms in the mountain region, and that organic farms achieve higher agricultural incomes and earned incomes than 'proof of ecological performance' (PEP) farms.

Profi-Lait

Researching for Milk Production

The year 2012 marked the start of the fourth phase of Profi-Lait, which will last until 2015.

All previous supporters and partners from the spheres of research, extension and practice, as well as the public authorities, continue to support this initiative in favour of professional, economically successful and sustainable milk production in Switzerland. Agroscope is one of Profi-Lait's most important partners. By including relevant research projects in Profi-Lait and promoting activities in the 'Knowledge transfer' and 'Research and development for dairy production' spheres, Agroscope underscores the importance of dairy production in its activities.

A key event was the traditional Profi-Lait Research Day. Under the slogan 'Researching for dairy production', over 60 professionals from research, extension and practice met in October at the Institut Agricole de l'Etat de Fribourg (IAG) in Grangeneuve. Here, anima- ted discussions about future research requirements took place, and information was provided on current research and development projects. Interdisciplinary exchange gave parti- cipants the opportunity to expand their networks, as well as to hold technical and informal discussions. The collected research questions now form part of the foundation for further Agroscope research activities within the scope of the next work programme (2014 – 2017).

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The main aim of ACW's applied research and development is to promote competitive, environmentally compatible crop production in order to produce high-quality foodstuffs that contribute to a healthy diet.

The ACW Work Programme 2012 – 2013 is dedicated to accomplishing this task. Among other things, we are designing solutions for organic farming, some in conjunction with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL). ACW has strengthened its position by focusing – for example, we have expanded the sustainable breeding of non-GMO wheat and soy, but have had to give up breeding triticale, and have handed it over to a Swiss organic breeder. By doing this, ACW is focusing on future issues. The support of European soy farming is currently a hot topic in many countries.

ACW boosted its research and development in 2012 with externally funded projects. A number of these projects prompted significant media coverage. Modern means of communication are also being explored in the form of YouTube expert videos and the Plant-Protection App project. Moreover, ACW professionals have stepped up their publishing in peer-reviewed international scientific journals. This is critical both for our profile and for the acquisition of international projects.

«We want to do an even better job of putting across our practical solutions for organic crop production.»

Jean-Philippe Mayor, Director of ACW

ACW

Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil

Newly bred grape varieties must also yield a convincing end-product. For this reason, ACW conducts numerous vinification and tasting tests.

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Apricot Varieties Suitable for Organic Production

Many consumers wonder why the availability of organic apricots is so limited.

In organic systems, infestation with brown-rot blossom blight in a damp spring can lead to total loss of the crop. Consequently, nearly all varieties were tested for susceptibility with a new evaluation method developed by Agroscope’s breeding programme.

Varieties with low susceptibility that are suitable for organic production can now be recommended, and will soon be commercially available.

ACW Highlights

Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil

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Environmentally Sustainable Use of Plant-Protection Products

Plant-protection products (PPP) help to safeguard yield and quality in plant production, whilst sustainable strategies for PPP use enable ecological intensification. But can undesirable side-effects also occur when PPP are used? In the licensing procedure, the risks for the environment are evaluated according to the latest findings.

In addition to this, Agroscope has developed indicators for various crops in order to determine long-term trends in the use of PPP and the risks for aquatic ecosystems (ecotoxicity). These indicators allow Agroscope to judge whether agricultural-policy measures are effective, to assess how improved or new PPPs affect the environment, and to gauge the success of optimised farming systems.

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Mixed Grazing Promotes Animal Health

Small ruminants are prone to gastrointestinal worms. Since resistance to chemical anthelmintics is more and more common, a wide variety of alternative anti-parasite strategies are being researched. Mixed grazing is an indirect parasite-control measure which avails itself of the different susceptibility of cattle and sheep to gastrointestinal worms. Research from Agroscope shows that sheep that graze with cattle are less infested than those grazing alone, and that the lambs put on weight significantly faster with a mixed-grazing strategy.

These results are of interest for organic agriculture, since synthetic anthelmintics are largely banned in organic systems.

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Biological Pest Control in Crops Grown Under Cover

Biological and biotechnical pest-control methods are eco-friendly approaches enjoying wide consumer support. More research is necessary to help us understand previously unknown pests and beneficials. Phytoseiulus macropilis, a new predatory mite, has already been tested in tomato production. On sites with low spider-mite infestation, it achieved a good level of control. In berry production, scent traps set up in and around the plots limited losses caused by the newly occurring pest Drosophila suzukii.

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ACW Highlights

Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil

14 Agroscope Jahresbericht 2010

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Steam – an Organically Compatible Approach to Healthy Vegetable Seed

Although healthy seed is the foundation of successful vegetable production, vegetable producers often have no recourse but to sow contaminated seed.

To improve the situation, ACW has developed a disinfection method using aerated steam. Generation is simple:

steam is mixed with ambient air in an injection nozzle until a temperature of 65 to 67 ºC is reached. After 90 seconds, contaminants are dead, with no reduction in seed germinability.

Because the process is short, not much water gets into the seed, resulting in low drying costs. Disinfection with aerated steam is suitable for organic systems, effective, safe, and cheap.

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Stinking Smut of Wheat – a Question of Resistance

Common bunt or stinking smut of wheat is a tiny fungus which infects the young wheat seedling, remaining concealed in the plant until it flowers.

Instead of kernels, the plant then forms foul-smelling 'bunt balls' containing the spores of the pathogen.

Today, the biology of this fungus is well researched, and breeding provides us with resistant varieties of wheat that are suitable for organic production. Dressing the seeds is therefore no longer necessary to produce top- quality bread wheat.

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Green Manure: An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Herbicides?

In order to reduce the use of herbicides in weed control, Agroscope recom- mends using the weed-suppressant potential of certain green manures whose modes of action are linked to competitive phenomena as well as to allelopathy via secretion of natural phytotoxic molecules. Various modes of action are being studied to discover which green manures are best suited for weed control. Initial selection criteria have already been defined, and a list of potentially suitable species has been drawn up. These tasks were performed in partnership with the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) as part of a National Research Programme 68 (NRP 68) project.

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Sexual Confusion Technique – an Organic-Compatible Method Becomes even more Sustainable

Nowadays many pests are resistant to insecticides. Despite this, crops can be protected effectively with the sexual confusion technique. With this method, sexual hormones (pheromones) are dispensed to disrupt the mating behaviour of the pest. Agroscope has been decisively involved in the practical implementation of this preventive method, which is suitable for organic farming, highly specific, and gentle on beneficial insects and the environment.

This approach is still being used successfully after 25 years. Agroscope is currently working on developing less expensive, biodegradable pheromone dispensers.

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Low-Input Plant Protection for Sustainable Apple Production

Consumers want tasty, attractive apples without PPP (plant-protection product) residues. ACW is developing alternative approaches enabling a reduction in both the number of treatments and the amount of residue.

For Golden Delicious and three scab- resistant apple varieties, ACW combines various resources and approaches:

PPP allowed in PEP (Proof of Ecological Performance) and organic farming, complete netting, pheromone confusion technique against pests, and hot-water treatment against storage diseases. This strategy proved effective against most pathogens, and the apples were free of residue. The control of storage diseases will need to be addressed further, however.

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Research Department 1

Field Crops and Grazing Systems

− On the basis of the variety tests carried out in conjunction with ART, new field-crop varieties were admitted into the National Variety Catalogue, which utilises breeding progress for the integrated and organic production supply chains.

− An oilseed-rape project supported by the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) was awarded the European 'Eureka' label ('EuroAgri' category).

− The joint HAFL, ACW and ETH Swiss Na- tional Science Foundation project, 'Cover Crops for Conservation Agriculture' (NRP 68), will enable the targeted use of green manure to preserve soil fertility and lessen the use of mineral fertilisers.

− A long-term trial enabled a more precise description of the effects of organic fertilisers on crop yield and on soil organic- matter content.

− The effects of water availability on forage- production efficiency are being investigated for upland pastures (Jura) and artificial leys (Lake Geneva basin). Initial findings show that perennial upland-pasture systems react more sensitively to a water deficit than do annual arable forage-crop systems.

Arable-Crop Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources

− In 2012, the various breeding projects led to the admission of 13 varieties to the Swiss and international variety catalogues. For wheat, these are varieties of high baking quality when grown extensively or organically. Moreover, they are resistant to the most common spike and leaf diseases.

ACW's seed-production partner is growing

them specifically for the organic farming sector.

− Following reorientation of the soya breeding programme to quality characteristics for the human diet, several high-value-added varieties were provided in 2012 for integrated and organic farming.

− The National Gene Bank conserves and describes the seed of old and modern vegetable and field-crop varieties and makes it available to interested parties.

Quality and Safety of Products, Nutrition and Health

− In close cooperation with the industry, ACW has to date developed five flavour wheels (Apple, Apple Juice and Cider, Kirsch, Plum and Mirabelle Prune Distillates, Whisky).

The use of objective sensory criteria enables these products to be described more clearly.

− MALDI biotyping enabled the rapid and specific detection of E. coli in seed material used for sprout production. Thanks to the establishment of an easy-to-use, residue-free steam method, the seed material can be disinfected effectively.

− Working with practitioners, the Research Department has optimised the NIR technique for non-destructive quality measure- ment of fruit.

− Using an innovative analytical method, it was possible to split the mirror-image forms of the chiral-herbicide active substance be- flubutamid and to investigate their specific effects in the soil.

ACW Research Departments

Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil

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Production and Plant Protection of Crops in Alpine Areas / Greenhouse Crops

− The new strawberry variety ‘Joly’ appears to be highly promising, with a better resistance to frost than the standard variety 'Cléry'.

− In the year under review – and despite high levels of infestation – damage to fruit in organic and integrated production systems caused by Drosophila suzukii was kept under control thanks to intensive pest monitoring, preventive measures and mass trapping.

− Good storage conditions reduce the harmful-microorganism load in peppermint.

− A new dosage system for plant-protection products which takes leaf-wall growth into account has been developed by ACW for greenhouse tomatoes.

− Optimum temperature management can save 25 – 30 % energy without negative effects on tomato crops.

− Deficit subsurface drip irrigation of apple orchards consumes around 50 % less water than standard irrigation and has no negative effects on quality.

Plant Protection for Arable Crops and Vines / Viticulture and Oenology

− The crossing of Gamaret and Bronner has yielded a first red-grape variety resistant to downy mildew, powdery mildew and rot.

− According to new findings, the vine nur- series are not responsible for the primary infection with Esca fungi. Initial attempts at eradicating the Esca were initiated, with the diseased vines being cut back to the healthy stem area.

− ACW carried out research work for the selection of clones of the Chasselas, Gamay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir varieties in old vineyard plots in German- speaking Switzerland, and planted variety collections with virus-free vines.

− The development of new risk-forecasting models for powdery mildew (viticulture) and potato viruses (www.agrometeo.ch) supports organic and integrated production.

− New antifungal molecules of natural origin were identified in vines, and their potential for human medicine and agriculture was evaluated.

Plant Protection and Fruit and Vegetable Extension

− Many leafy vegetables must be grown without herbicides, since residues are not tolerated. Trials have shown that in such cases, and thanks to new technological solutions, thermal weed control is less energy-intensive and more ecologically sound and profitable.

− Fruit growers need practical alternatives to antibiotic control of fire blight. The antagonistic bacterium Pantoea agglome- rans was tested in Swiss fruit orchards and was found to be helpful in controlling fire blight. Prospects for further development of this method to the point of being ready for practical use are encouraging.

− Climate change will one day influence the occurrence of pathogens, and hence future plant-protection strategies. Now, using forecasted climate scenarios, simulations developed in partnership with Meteo- Schweiz for the first time show the growing regions where apple-moth infestation will increase.

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ALP-Haras researches in the sphere of animal production along the entire value chain – from feed, to species-appropriate housing and production, to the processing and consumption of foods of animal origin.

ALP-Haras employs a staff of around 350 in Liebefeld, Posieux and Avenches. Our stated goal is to make use of synergy effects through strategic partnerships with other research institutions. Our outstanding research infrastructure makes us an attractive partner throughout the entire agricultural knowledge system.

In the year under review, and together with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), ALP-Haras organised the fifth edition of Eurosense, the European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research. Under the slogan «A Sense of Inspiration», over 550 researchers from 46 countries presented papers on a wide variety of topics, such as how emotions influence the sensory perception of foods. In close cooperation with the University of Bern, ALP-Haras established the Chair in Bee Health, thereby consolidating our leading position in global bee-death research. Thanks to the Swiss Feed Database (www.feedbase.ch), refined by us in partnership with the University of Zurich’s Department of Informatics, data can be retrieved in a substantially more targeted fashion and linked with temporal and geographic information.

Thus, for instance, it is now possible to run a query on the nutrients in a roughage in a specific region on a Google Map.

«We achieve maximum impact by

systematically gearing our research to the needs of practitioners.»

Michael Gysi, Director of ALP-Haras

ALP-Haras

Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux

Different feeding strategies influence meat quality.

Thanks to its ideal infrastructure, ALP-Haras can identify such effects quickly.

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ALP-Haras Highlights

Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux

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Boar Meat without Boar Taint

Throughout Europe, the castration of male piglets is being called into question. Despite this, the occurrence of undesirable boar taint in pork stops us from being able to dispense with this approach as of today. Since boar taint cannot be successfully tackled with feeding or management measures alone, we are left with the breeding approach. Together with the pig- breeding organisation Suisag and additional partners in the Swiss pig industry, ALP-Haras succeeded in determining the known boar-taint components in the fatty tissue of future breeding boars. Moreover, the analytical method was refined so that the boar-taint components can be very precisely determined even in small fatty-tissue biopsies. The principles for breeding out boar taint are now available, which will enable us to forego the castration approach in the medium term.

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Optimistic Horses

The wellbeing of farm animals is important to Switzerland's population. The objective recording of emotions allows wellbeing to be assessed, since emotions influence behaviour. In a pilot test, the effect of two different training approaches on horses' emotions was investigated. Twelve animals learned to spatially distinguish a pail containing feed from an empty pail. Divided into two groups, they were then trained using different methods expected to have a positive or negative influence on their state of mind. Afterwards, they were confronted with pails in ambi- guous locations. It was demonstrated that the horses from one of the groups went to a particular pail more quickly because they expected it to contain feed. These horses therefore appeared to be “more optimistic”. ALP-Haras hopes to further develop this promising approach.

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Concentrates for Grazing Cows

With rising yields, dairy cows are fed more concentrates. On the organic farm 'Ferme de l'Abbaye', the effect of the concentrate on the grazing behaviour of two types of Holstein cows was investigated. Feeding of the concentrate led to a reduction in the daily time spent eating and to a substantial suppression of pasture grass. This undermined the effect of

the feed as a whole, and resulted in an additional yield of only 0.5 to 0.8 kg milk per kg of concentrate fed.

Apart from the fact that the Swiss- type cows turned the concentrate to better account than the New Zealand- type cows, there were no relevant differences between the two types of cattle in terms of the effect of the concentrate.

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A Sense of Inspiration – Inspira- tion in the Service of Consumers

Thanks to focused cooperation, ALP- Haras was able to further expand its position in the sensory-analysis sector, organising the 5th European Confe- rence on Sensory and Consumer Re- search in Bern In partnership with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). Specialists from 46 countries stressed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to enable better understanding of the behaviour of consumers and allow their needs to be specifically addressed. In this way, Agroscope is setting a strong example in consumer-related market research.

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ALP-Haras Highlights

Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux

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Make Way for Innovative Cultures

No more than two hours of work at a stretch are bearable in the new clean room: the virtually particle-free air in which the hygienically “packed”

employees move about is too dry for comfort. The microorganisms in this ISO Class-8 clean room – commis- sioned in March 2012 by the Cultures team, and equipped with two freeze- dryers – feel all the better for it, though,

as there are virtually no longer any contaminants for them to fear. The clean room allows the implementation of groundbreaking research and development concepts and the production of innovative cultures in freeze-dried form.

The first leading-edge products of Agro- scope research, including a proof-of- origin culture for cheese, are already being successfully offered to practitioners.

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E-Carriages: Innovation for the more Sparing Use of Horses

The draught horse is celebrating a comeback in industrialised countries as a modern-day helper in local authorities and municipalities, now that its work can be accomplished efficiently with the E-carriage (ana- logous to an E-bike). As a contribution to the Cleantech initiative, a pilot project in the municipality of Avenches (Cité de l‘Énergie) used six stallions in a cross-study (with and without electronic support) to measure the effect of electronic support on the welfare of the horses during their activity on the basis of physiological, physical and ethological parameters.

The results show that the E-carriage noticeably reduces the workload of the horses with no negative effect on their behaviour.

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The Challenge Posed by Bee Death

Only half of Swiss bee colonies survived the winter of 2011/12. In addition to the loss of trophic diversity and consis- tency owing to habitat impoverishment, as well as the use of certain plant- protection products at concentrations which, although sublethal, are still harmful to bees, it is the varroa mite which is identified as the main cause of these mass bee deaths. Control of the varroa mite has been a major focus of ALP- Haras research for years now. Today, we are in sight of highly promising approaches for sustainable control of this parasite and virus vector. ALP-Haras is working intensively with all players in agriculture for habitat improvement and the careful use of plant-protection products.

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Hay – Leaving a Bad Taste in the Mouths of Dairy Cows?

Good hay often has a high soluble- carbohydrate content. In the rumen, these carbohydrates are rapidly broken down into various fatty acids, which are a key energy source for the animal. At the same time, they influence rumen pH and hence fermentation, since the microbe species involved prefer different pH values. With large amounts of soluble carbohydrates comes the increased risk of a drop in rumen pH, resulting in ruminal acidosis. ALP-Haras investigated how cows combatted acidosis, and discovered that they react diffe- rently to high quantities of soluble carbohydrates. With continued research, we aim to identify traits which make for a healthy cow.

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BEEBOOK: Science in Service of the Honey Bee

Bees are beneficial insects which are crucial for agricultural productivity and the preservation of biodiversity. In many regions of the world, however, their numbers are falling sharply. To enable science to better grasp the causes of this decline and beekeepers to put a stop to bee death, experts from the Centre for Bee Research in partnership with 200 specialists have authored the BEEBOOK. This manual contains a collection of standard approaches used in bee research. Split into 30 chapters, the 700 pages give an overview of all of the relevant research areas. The BEEBOOK aims to facilitate international cooperation in the protection of bees so that the services of these insects to nature can be safeguarded for the long term.

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ALP-Haras Research Departments Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux

Milk and Meat Production

− Pastures can be used even more efficiently by dairy cows when concentrate use is reduced. This is because concentrates shorten feeding time on the pasture and reduce grass intake. Swiss Holstein cows were able to adapt their milk yield to feed supply on the pasture. The extent to which this affects metabolism has yet to be con- clusively clarified.

− Grass and roughage may contain large amounts of soluble carbohydrates ('sugar'), which improves their feed value. Roughage that is high in sugar significantly influences the bacterial population in the rumen of dairy cows. Moreover, over a longer period rumen pH can fall into a low range, despite sufficient intake of the structured feed.

This does not seem to negatively influence the animals' health in the short term, however.

− Alternatives are being sought to lessen dependence on imported concentrate ingredients. A by-product of cheese production, whey is well suited as a supple- ment to a grass-silage, hay and barley ration for the fattening of calves from suckler-cow production.

− Boar taint in meat is undesirable. To avoid this effect, boars are castrated. Working together with the pig industry, ALP-Haras successfully developed a method for determining scent compounds in the animal.

The breeding association now has a vali- dated method for breeding explicitly against boar taint.

− Together with the University of Zurich, ALP-Haras continues to develop the Swiss Feed Database. In addition to the previous average-value queries, single-value queries are now possible. Data, for example on roughage, can now be retrieved in a sub-

stantially more targeted fashion, and linked with temporal and geographic information:

see www.feedbase.ch for more information.

Milk and Meat Processing

− In cheesemaking, important progress was made in the investigation of little-known and in some cases underestimated metabo- lic processes during cheese ripening.

Quality (e.g. eye formation) and safety (e.g.

biogenic amines) therefore continue to improve. Initial recommendations have already been implemented in practice.

− The introduction of lyophilisation (freeze- drying) technology is an important mile- stone in the 'Liebefeld cultures' success story, allowing a wide range of new cultures with specific characteristics (proof of origin, flavour, food safety, etc.) to be offered to practitioners in the years ahead.

− Full genome sequencing of ALP-Haras' extensive collection of bacterial strains isolated from original Swiss biodiversity is to be achieved in the next few years. The genomes of the first 100 lactic-acid bacteria are now available.

− On the basis of Agroscope research papers and consumer studies, numerous compa- nies reduced the sugar content of various cultured dairy products and the salt content of selected meat products on the market, with no negative effects on either quality or safety.

− The Food Safety Research Group was successfully integrated into the Research Department. This creates the ideal conditions for consistent solutions for future requirements from practitioners in the quality and safety sectors.

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− Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a major challenge in the production of cheese from raw and partially thermised milk. Since ruminants are their natural reservoirs, contamination of the milk cannot be completely prevented. Together with the Vetsuisse Faculty, ALP-Haras is carrying out a study in order better to analyse the behaviour of these bacteria in cheese and to develop recommendations for practitioners.

− ALP-Haras, Vaud University Hospital and the University of Lausanne have signed a framework cooperation agreement. The three partners will therefore be researching jointly for a better understanding of the interactions between foods and the human organism.

Horses and Bees

− The Swiss National Stud SNS functioned as a fully integrated unit of ALP-Haras for the first time in 2012. Today, together with the Swiss Bee Research Centre (SBRC), it forms the Horses and Bees Research Department.

Horses and bees are beneficial animals reconciling the competing demands of production and leisure, urban and rural populations. In addition, they make an important contribution to biodiversity.

− As part of an ALP-Haras Research Depart- ment, the SNS continued to implement the strategy process launched in 2011.

Research and project activities were significantly consolidated. The focus here was on the following topics: animal breeding and genetics; optimisation of horsekeeping and training; feed and pasture management;

and market and value-added of horse- breeding and -keeping.

− As a non-partisan centre of excellence, the SNS is the first point of contact for the horse sector.

− The classic stud services to do with stallion- keeping, covering, and supporting the Franches-Montagnes breed within the context of events are highly valued by the industry.

− Cooperation between the SNS teams and the Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME) was initiated in 2012. The SNS horses benefit from a professional veteri- nary service.

− In the field of bee research, 2012 was shaped by high bee-colony losses – around 50 % in Switzerland. Recording of the losses was harmonised worldwide with the help of the COLOSS network. With its contributions to the BEEBOOK, the SBRC is decisively involved in the standardisation of bee research.

− In addition, entomopathogenic fungi were researched in pursuit of sustainable solutions for controlling the varroa mite in bee- keeping. Until workable solutions become available, beekeepers will be trained and encouraged to apply the currently available methods as well as possible.

− In the testing of plant-protection products, the main focus was on products based on neonicotinoids. Various studies point to negative effects for bees from sub-lethal doses.

− In the breeding sphere, artificial reproduc- tion methods were used to test which factors influence the lifespan of a queen.

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ART researches for environmentally compatible and competitive agriculture. Our primary concern is for a diverse rural area. We develop and assess sustainable production systems in crop farming and animal husbandry. In doing so, we combine ecology, economics and agricultural engineering in a holistic research approach. We develop both scientific principles and practical decisionmaking aids for agriculture, public authorities and society. This combination of practical orientation and scientific approach is our strength.

Located on the two sites of Reckenholz and Tänikon, ART employs a staff of around 350 from the various agricultural and environmental subject areas. ART is especially proud of its certifica- tion as an 'Investors in People' organisation, obtained in January 2012.

ART reached a wide audience in the year under review with, among other things, an 'Ammo- nia and odour from agriculture' conference, as well as with the practical 'Forage production' and 'Slurry technology' events organised together with the Swiss Grassland Society (AGFF).

The 'Open ART 12 – Festival of Research and Agriculture' Open-Door Day at the Reckenholz site gave an easily digested and appealing overview of the various research areas to around 5000 visitors.

In 2012, 33 diploma projects, master's and bachelor's theses and term papers were completed.

In addition, 17 dissertations were begun, 19 completed, and 40 were pursued further.

«We promote the sparing and efficient use of natural resources.»

Paul Steffen, Director of ART

ART

Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon

Problem weeds are often difficult to control without chemicals. ART searches for and develops eco-friendly plant-protection methods.

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02

Soils must be able to breathe

Not only humans and animals need air to breathe; soils have a huge, conti- nuous pore system for supplying soil organisms and plant roots with oxygen.

If this pore system is damaged, soil air becomes oxygen-deficient, and the microorganisms switch over to anaero- bic (oxygenless) respiration. As a result, the soil environment may change for the worse, so that e.g. nutrients are lost and pollutants become harmful.

In order to explore such interactions, a fully automatic measuring system was developed which is capable of detec- ting changes in oxygen availability and the soil environment in cultivated soils.

ART Highlights

Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon

01

'Standard Mixtures for Forage

Production' republished

The two key documents for ley farming in Switzerland, the 'List of Recom- mended Varieties of Forage Plants' and 'Standard Mixtures for Forage Produc- tion', have been revised and republished for practitioners, making use of the latest findings from variety testing and from numerous mixture trials in the field. Agroscope regularly deter- mines the best varieties from among

more than 20 forage-plant species.

Only varieties which demonstrate their suitability for cultivation in conditions in keeping with the proof of ecological performance (PEP) and in organic conditions, with top results in multi- year field trials, are used in the formu- las of the standard mixtures. This approach ensures that practitioners also benefit from breeding progress.

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04

Wireworms – biological control of uninvited guests

Long before the harvest, uninvited six-legged guests are already tucking into Swiss potatoes. We are referring here to wireworms, which bore into the tubers in the soil, leaving them riddled with holes. A fungus is offering new prospects for solving the wireworm problem in potato production.

After years of research, a strain of the green muscardine fungus capable of infecting and killing two of the most harmful wireworm species was isolated in the laboratory of the Ecolo- gical Plant Protection Research Group.

As part of an EU project, further research is being conducted into developing a product suitable for practical use (http://inbiosoil.uni-goettingen.de).

This product should also be suitable for organic farming.

03

Biodiversity indicators for Europe

Within the framework of the Project BioBio (Biodiversity Indicators for Organic and Low-Input Farming Sys- tems), launched by the EU and coordi- nated by ART, an indicator set was developed and tested throughout Europe for the three most important levels of biodiversity. This indicator set allows us to evaluate habitat diversity as well as inter- and intraspecies diversity at farm level. In addition, indicators were defined for agricultural practice. A monitoring instrument has thus been created for European agricultural policy. The results of the studies were published as ART Publica- tion Series 17, 'Biodiversity Indicators for European Farming Systems'.

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ART Highlights

Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon

05

Putting the heat on dock

«What is dock actually good for?»

«Can it be used for anything?» Any- one involved with broad-leaved dock control hears these questions all the time – and no, this root-spreading weed is really quite useless. Moreover pulling out dock plants as a method of control in organic farming is both tedious and ineffective. Extensive trials demonstrated that hot water treats dock plants in grassland cost- effectively, ergonomically and within seconds. Commercially available high- pressure cleaners with rotary nozzles produce a hot earth-water mixture around the roots, killing the plant.

ART hopes to achieve a practical break- through thanks to this new method.

06

Meat life-cycle assessment:

Production method is critical

The production of meat indirectly pollutes the environment, e.g. owing to greenhouse gases, eutrophication or high water consumption. Together with a supermarket chain, ART investigated how the production, transport and processing of beef, pork and poultry from Switzerland and abroad affect the environment. Swiss standard production according to PEP, PEP with animal-friendly housing and organic farming were compared with imports. The finding: Since transport contributes little to the extent of pollution, the production method is more important than the country of origin. The presentation of the results triggered a major response in the media.

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08

EuroTier gold medal: Healthy ruminants thanks to RumiWatch

Mastication, ruminant and eating activity provide important clues as to the state of health of cows. The Rumi- Watch monitoring system makes changes in activity visible, enabling livestock owners, herd vets and scientists to quickly and competently assess and rapidly react to any digestive disorders or feeding errors. RumiWatch

consists of a tube with a pressure sensor in the noseband of the halter, and a pedometer on the cow's leg.

Data are transferred wirelessly to a computer. The system was developed by Agroscope and the feed technology company Itin + Hoch. RumiWatch was awarded a gold medal at the EuroTier 2012 livestock exhibition.

07

Efficient nitrogen suppliers in organic farming

Clover is the most important source of nitrogen (N) for organic farms, owing to its ability to symbiotically fix N from the air. In the DOC long- term system comparison, clover-grass meadows in the organic farming systems produce a somewhat lower yield than in the conventional systems.

On the other hand, both the propor- tion of clover and the clover yield in the organic systems are higher, with the result that the symbiotic N-fixation capacity is about the same as in the conventional systems. Currently, ART is investigating below-ground N inputs from clover roots. Because root-borne N inputs were not taken into account, the symbiotic N-fixation capacity of clover has been largely underestimated to date.

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ART Research Departments Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon

Natural Resources and Agriculture

− The research department made several expert contributions to the new 'Enforce- ment Aid for Environmental Protection in Agriculture' of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG). It was involved in the development of agricultural policy in the field of soil protection, and in the new resource-efficiency contributions of the FOAG in the soil and air spheres.

− The department successfully completed its mandate from the FOAG for validation of the Suisse-Bilanz method. This enforcement and planning instrument supplies the principles for a balanced nitrogen and phospho- rus balance for farms that produce according to 'Proof of Ecological Performance' (PEP) guidelines.

− ART provided key results for the National Research Programme 'Sustainable Water Use' (NRP61), e.g. on the topic of climate change and risks for agricultural production.

− The NABObio12_13 project was successfully launched. Soils from 30 sites selected by the Swiss Soil Monitoring Network (NABO) were studied to determine their microbial biomass. In addition, a DNA extraction and quantification was performed to ascertain the genetic diversity of the soil microorganisms. By the end of 2013, it should be possible to draw initial conclusions on the biological condition of the soils of the sites monitored since 1984, as well as to establish the methodological criteria for permanent monitoring.

Grassland Systems and Arable Farming Systems

− The new research projects associated with the Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research (EU-FP7), e.g. AnimalChange, LegumePlus, OSCAR, INBIOSOIL and CAN- TOGETHER, were successfully launched.

− Publications on the breeding of the red clover 'Pastor' met with a significant response from practitioners. Pastor is the first Swiss red clover variety that can be recommended for grazing. Initial attempts have been made to incorporate this variety in clover/grass mixtures.

− Candidate varieties from ART, including the new recommended variety 'Soraya', took top spots in the official variety testing for the versatile, high-yielding English ryegrass.

− Initial results are now available from the arable-farming trial of 2009 and 2010, which aimed to compare the agronomic, ecological and economic characteristics of the most important Swiss farming systems (organic and PEP, with and without ploughing). The findings are of particular interest for organic agriculture.

− Maize seed can now also be certified via the web-based Certipro database, which will lead to improved production efficiency.

ART's seed-testing laboratory obtained reaccreditation through the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), achieving an 'A' rating in the Association's series of international comparative tests.

− The Forage Production / Grassland Research Group became a member of the World Food System Centre of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, contributing to enhanced cooperation.

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Biodiversity and

Environmental Management

− After a two-year period spent developing an agri-environmental indicator for species and habitats in agriculture (ALL EMA), ART has published manuals and habitat keys and made these available to its mandators, the FOAG and FOEN.

− ART is a partner in the EU-FP7 project 'QUESSA – QUantification of Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Agriculture'. In Switzerland, a case study is investigating the possible increase in natural predators in arable crops (especially cereals) arising from the targeted creation of beneficial-insect- friendly flower strips.

− The project 'Life-Cycle Inventories for Bioenergy Sources' conducted on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy was concluded. The project has been responsible for the improvement, harmonisation and expansion of ecoinvent inventories for bioenergy.

− Important new insights were gleaned from the EU project 'SOLIBAM' (Strategies for Organic and Low-input Integrated Breeding and Management).

− At the behest of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and as part of a disserta- tion, a database was created giving an overview of the arthropod communities in important field crops. These data are helpful in assessing the side-effects of geneti- cally modified plants and pesticides on non-target organisms.

− Involvement in the EU-FP7 project 'GMO Risk Analysis and Communication of the Evidence' (GRACE) is strengthening international networking in the field of genetic research.

Agricultural Economics and Engineering

− Emerald Group Publishing has presented their Outstanding Paper Award to ART and the LEI Wageningen Research Institute (NL) for a joint study. In the award-winning article published in the journal Competi- tiveness Review, the authors addressed the question of why Dutch under-glass vegetable production is more competitive than the same sector in Switzerland, and point to shortcomings in flexibility in the Swiss system.

− In the energy sector, direct and indirect energy-consumption figures were defined as agri-environmental indicators and vali- dated at a workshop. This approach allows us to illustrate trends in energy consumption in Swiss agriculture.

− The figures relating to the standard labour unit (SLU) as a unit for recording the overall farm working-time requirement were revised at the behest of the FOAG.

− The second test phase of the 'Farm Accoun- tancy Data Network' project (FADN 2015) passed off successfully. The current system is based on a non-random selection of farms, and must be changed over to a random sampling. The aim is also to comply with the new accountancy conditions and to set up the necessary IT environment for data collection.

− Together with partners from Germany and Austria, we succeeded in raising the profile of the 'Agricultural Engineering in the Alpine Region' conference.

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Agroscope and the FiBL:

Two Partners, Common Goals

In Switzerland in 2012, over 6000 farms were run according to organic-production guidelines, corresponding to 11.3 per cent of all holdings. These farms cultivated over 110 000 ha of utilised agricultural area.

Compared to the previous year, sales of organic products in the retail sector rose by 5.3 per cent to CHF 1.8 billion. In 2011, the Swiss Federal Government subsidised organic farming to the extent of CHF 31 million, or around CHF 5500 per farm, as a form of production that is both particularly compatible with nature and environmentally friendly.

Organic farming is characterised by a whole- farm approach which is mindful of closed cycles and particularly species-appropriate animal housing and feed. It forgoes the use of artificial fertilisers and synthetically produced plant-protection products. Pests, diseases and weeds are controlled via the holistic use of various measures, including a suitable choice of species and varieties, appropriate crop rotation, mechanical and thermal methods, and the promotion and use of beneficial insects.

Breeding and research are key for the further development of a productive and eco-friendly agricultural sector. Besides Agroscope, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) is probably the foremost contributor in Switzerland of applied research for the benefit of organic farming. Since its founding almost 40 years ago, and in partnership with Agroscope, the FiBL has conducted a long- term trial comparing conventional and organic farming systems. Over the years this partnership has become stronger, and has extended to further areas.

Every four years, an overview of organic research is produced by the Organic Research Coordinating Group, in which Agroscope and the FiBL are represented. In this overview, all FiBL research projects are fully accounted for as 100%-organic projects with a specific benefit for organic farming. Agriculture that seeks to produce sustainably, though not necessarily organically, can also benefit from the FiBL’s research findings.

Agroscope also carries out specific organic projects. In addition, many of its projects are partially geared to organic farming, or have organic variants. Most of the projects conducted by Agroscope at least explicity serve organic agriculture, even if they are not run on certified organic farms. Among Agroscope’s fully organic projects are weed, pest and disease-control trials, as well as studies on the nutrient-cycle process in organic agriculture, and questions concerning the cultivation of culinary and medicinal plants. Moreover, Agroscope identifies a significant direct value for organic farming in spheres in which it is heavily involved: the breeding of field crops/

forage plants and grape varieties; the ob- taining of disease-free material (phytoplasma, in-vitro cultures); disease- and pest control in field crops and special crops; and lastly, the study of sustainable grazing systems. All told, Agroscope devotes over 20 per cent of its activity to organic-farming research, corresponding per annum to around 18 000 working days, or over 80 full-time jobs.

Agroscope and the FiBL will continue their joint advocacy of a productive, sustainable and resource-sparing agri-food sector in Switzerland. The Federal Council deems a clear division of duties between Agroscope

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and the FiBL to be important. The four-year performance mandates to Agroscope and the corresponding financial-aid contracts between the FOAG and the FiBL serve this purpose, ensuring the active promotion of all forms of cooperation, as well as the coordination of the portfolios in question. Agroscope and the FiBL consult practitioners when analysing the production-related and socio-economic problems of organic farming, and search for efficient and effective solutions. The Organic Research Coordinating Group regularly examines cooperative efforts as to their expedi- ency. Members of the Group inform one other on the latest research findings and pending challenges, and organise joint conferences which meet with a wide response in research, consultancy and practice. In coming years, cooperation between the FiBL and Agroscope is to be further developed and expanded in the areas of long-term trials, organic seed, variety testing, precision agriculture and quality management.

A postulate forwarded by the National Coun- cil to the Federal Council in 2012 calls for a clear division of duties between the research institutions, and a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Federal Government and the FiBL, with a financial commitment from the Federal Government at least twice that of the current one. The spirit and purpose of the Federal Government’s cooperation with the FiBL must therefore be to strengthen research for the organic agri-food sector, as well as to better incorporate the FiBL in the overall vision for agricultural research through a clear division of duties and closer cooperation with Agroscope. At the moment, various scenarios are being considered with respect to the aforementioned postulate,

ranging from an optimised partnership with unchanged resources, to a topping-up of funding, all the way to a merging of the two institutions.

Irrespective of the scenario ultimately em- braced by the Federal Council, Agroscope and the FiBL are currently busy strengthening their cooperation for the benefit of a sustainable agri-food system.

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Reorganisation of Agroscope

From 2014 onwards, instead of the three former Agroscope Research Stations, the Swiss federal government will run a single research station for the agri-food sector under the name of Agroscope. The Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) will assume the strategic management of Agroscope via the Agroscope Council. The FOAG specifies the strategy, targets and objectives through the 2013-2016 Research Concept and the 2014- 2017 Performance Mandate. Strategic management by the FOAG is kept separate from operative management by Agroscope.

Now, four institutes with their respective competencies will cover important spheres of the agroecosystem and of the agri-food sector value chains (including food security).

These institutes are ideally qualified to deal with the inter- and transdisciplinary issues of the agri-food system.

As previously, Agroscope has the following remits: research and development in support of the agri-food sector; provision of decisionmaking bases for Federal Authority legislation; enforcement tasks within the framework of agricultural legislation and agreements with other federal agencies; knowledge exchange and technology transfer.

The Agricultural Research Council periodically examines the topicality and efficiency of federal research, as well as its impact on the agri- food chain. Furthermore, in consultation with the FOAG, it can arrange for the evaluation of Agroscope research, or of individual departments of Agroscope. With the agreement of the Agroscope Council, it is authorised to form committees to address concrete tasks.

Strategic Tasks Corporate Communication

Corporate Research Analytics Infrastructure

Institute of Plant Production

Sciences Jean-Philippe Mayor

Institute of Livestock

Sciences Daniel Guidon

Institute of Food Sciences Hans-Peter Bachmann

Institute of Sustainability Sciences Paul Steffen

Resources Unit Christine Grivel-Niklaus Head of Agroscope

Michael Gysi FOAG

Agroscope Council Bernard Lehmann

Secretariat Agricultural Research

Council

Organisation of Agroscope from 2014 onwards

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Programme Research/

Research Programmes

Between 1996 and 2011, the number of scientific articles published worldwide each year increased by around 140 per cent. This means that in spite of global population growth, twice as much knowledge is com- piled per capita and per annum today than 15 years ago. It also means, however, that much more attention still needs to be paid to knowledge transfer from research to practice and to the valorisation of knowledge. In order for disciplinary knowledge to find its way into practice, cooperation with specialists and experts in other branches of research, development and consultancy is often required. Accordingly, so-called inter- and transdisciplinary research is highly rated nowadays. One way of strengthening this form of cooperation is to draw researchers together into research programmes. The collaborative research thereby promoted is cultivated in various forms, with a hybrid form often being used in practice.

In order for a subject area to be investigated as holistically and in as much detail as possible, experts are needed from often widely varying disciplines. Such experts may be natural and social scientists, jurists and econo- mists. In projects, they deal with the issues relevant to their area of expertise, largely independently from other research groups.

Selected individuals from the programme then compile the research results into a synthesis report – a demanding task. This results in a multi-layered approach affording an insight into the options and the corresponding conse- quences for policymakers and public alike. In such a synthesis-oriented programme, and precisely because of the wide range of issues and their complexity, there is a risk of simply juxtaposing different viewpoints, without a final transdisciplinary approach.

If research is reliant upon a lively exchange of knowledge, data, models or product develop- ments, it would then be advantageous to organise cooperation into properly networked research associations. The same applies where common infrastructures or test facilities are being used. Moreover, joint planning of interlinked sub-projects – also referred to as modules – with their disciplinary competencies and deadlines for stages of research and development, are crucial for success. These modules yield e.g. physical products or recommendations for action for a clearly defined environment. Networking- oriented programmes are dependent on the outcome of individual modules, however. If a module runs behind schedule, this can delay or even hinder the work of the network partners.

With top-down-oriented research programmes, the funding institutions or their contracting authorities dictate the topics to be addressed. Here, contributions to solving pressing issues of national and international importance are expected. Depending on the focus of the programme, researchers apply with their own project proposals or with a proposal for a joint project developed by a consortium. Bottom-up programmes are created on the initiative of the researchers, who apply to the funding programmes geared to them, such as the ‘Synergia’

programme of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), or respond to the calls for tenders from the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI). An alternative is to arrange for the sub-projects to be financed by various backers.

In comparison with research carried out overall, research programmes often achieve