«From pasture to plate»
highlights of 2006
Abridged version of the 2006 Annual Report of Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station ALP
Dear Readers
During my first year at ALP my main concern was to build upon the existing structure. In the beginning I sniffed around labs and cowsheds, getting to know the staff and being introduced to the various activities at ALP. Personal contact with our clients was another priority for me that year.
The 2004-2007 work programme is drawing to a close and progress on our ALP project is encouraging. You can find details of our 2006 activities on our website (www.alp.admin.ch).
In 2006 we continued our preparations for the new 2008-2011 performance directive, in which pride of place is given to the development of ALP’s Vision 2015.
Over 550 research requests were received from clients, partners and colleagues.
The external appraisal (Peer Review), conducted in September, highlighted ALP’s good project manage- ment and pointed out interesting possibilities for improvement.
In a combined audit the two former laboratories at Liebefeld and Posieux, were merged, and ALP was accredited with the new ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard.
Certification ISO 9001:2000 was also confirmed.
We also made important progress at the Agroscope level. Collaboration between agricultural research sta- tions was strengthened thanks to a simplification of the organisational structure and the assumption of respon- sibility for a strategic area by each Research Station director.
I hope you enjoy reading the report!
Michael Gysi Director ALP
Expertise ranging from animal feed to food of animal origin
As a result of research, implementation and advisory activities the Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station ALP helps to ensure that the production of milk and meat is, and will remain, a strong and fundamental component of Swiss agriculture.
Our aim is for Swiss meat and dairy products to enjoy consumer confidence, achieve increased added value and project a prestige image, thereby boosting sales at home and abroad.
In our projects we take into consideration important developments in quality, safety, nutrition, health and natural resources. From animal feed through production and processing to the food we buy, new findings are efficiently investigated and passed on to our extensive clientele by a highly networked research and advisory service.
We make every effort to maintain the high quality of our working methods. ALP operates to international standards: ISO 9001:2000 Certification and ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Accreditation.
Swiss foodstuffs of animal origin enjoy the confidence of consumers.
New findings in beef and pork production
A new edition of the “Green Book“(ALP’s standard work for training and advisory services with recom- mended feed and nutritional value tables for ruminants) was released this year. For the first time it is available in a user-friendly Internet version. In this edition the ADF, NDF and sugar contents of the most important forage crops have been added.
The quality of raw milk, which also has an impact on cheese quality, is influenced by the production system, lactation stage, genetics and forage composition. This was demonstrated in a study carried out by ALP at L’Abbaye organic farm in Sorens.
In the extensive beef production project, the on-going trials with the suckling cow herd were complemented by collaboration with private farms in Valais, located at different altitudes. The goal of this study is to evaluate the sensoric characteristics of beef, reared on pastures in alpine regions.
Boar meat is in general positively rated by consumers, irrespective of age or gender. This was shown by the results of an ALP consumer survey on the acceptance of boar meat.
Contact: walter.stoll@alp.admin.ch
As well as its research activities, ALP regularly carries out consumption tests.
International leader in cheese research
The best cheese comes from Switzerland! At the World Championship Cheese Contest a Swiss Emmental cheese was chosen as overall champion from 1792 cheeses. The jury cited almost perfect eye formation as one of the reasons for their decision - a direct result of ALP research. So in this sense ALP is also something of a world champion.
Every four years the International Dairy Federation (IDF) runs a symposium on the latest findings to emerge from cheese research. Thanks to an active role in previ- ous symposia, ALP landed the contract for 2008. The 300-400 participants expected from all over the world will be introduced to the great tradition and increasing innovation of the Swiss cheese industry. The figure of
“Johann“ was brought into existence specifically for this purpose. See also www.cheese2008.ch
The dissolution of the Dairy Inspection and Advisory Service (Milchwirtschaftlicher Inspektions- und Beratungsdienst) was the final chapter of a unique success story. Various institutions will carry on the advisory service, and ALP has concluded an agree- ment with them to ensure that the smooth inter- change of information will continue into the future.
Contact: hans-peter.bachmann@alp.admin.ch Johann, the modern and
innovative cheese maker is the character especially created for the Cheese Symposium in 2008.
In the service of safety and quality
The dissolution of MIBD (Milchwirtschaftlicher Inspektions- und Beratungsdienst) also greatly affect- ed enforcement support. The transfer of its director to the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office (FVO) meant a certain amount of restructuring. Progress on this work is encouraging.
In bee research the focus was on last winter’s (2005/06) exceptional bee mortality. The huge media reaction called for great commitment on the part of all our colleagues. Follow-up arrangements included the appointment of a specialist with a proven track record in research on the small hive beetle Aethina tumida.
The Bee Research Centre is therefore well equipped for the possible future appearance of this dangerous pest.
2006 brought some modifications to Official Feedstuffs Monitoring. The amended Feedstuffs Regulation (FMV), introduced on 1st Jan 2006, modi- fied framework conditions for the production and marketing of animal feeds and raised the standards expected from companies. Inspectors were given comprehensive training to prepare them for imple- mentation of the new requirements in the field of animal feed hygiene and quality assurance (HACCP concepts).
Contact: daniel.guidon@alp.admin.ch
Safety and quality are very important to foodstuffs of animal origin.
The transfer of research results to customers and partners as well as the exchange of knowledge is one of the central missions of ALP.
For example, in 2006, researchers at ALP gave 435 oral presentations.
Our key figures
Financials (as per 2006 cost-performance accounting in CHF)
Staff expenses 25'020'374
Expenditure on materials 8'179'408
Investments 1'399'487
Expenditure 33'811'323
Receipts 4'341'792
Net financial requirement 29'469'531
Staff
Full time positions FTE1 184.1
Percentage of women % 35.5
Apprentices and trainees FTE1 26.0
Percentage of university graduates % 48.1
Percentage of externally funded staff FTE1 13.2 Knowledge and technology transfer
Publications Number 436
Presentations Number 435
Lectures at universities
and polytechnics Lectures 239
Joint projects Number 57
Consulting information Number 66
Approvals and expert opinions Number 693
Demonstrations for customers Number 7
Cultures sold
for fermented milk products Units 96'600
Feed inspection Samples 1'970
Inspections Number 490
1Converted in full-time jobs
Outlook for 2007:
Preparation of a new performance directive
The research, monitoring and advisory work in the pro- jects covered by the current performance directive will be completed by the end of 2007. At the same time the year will be greatly influenced by continuing prepa- rations for the new 2008-2011 performance directive.
ALP also plans to continue its pioneering projects and pass on the results of its work relating to important issues in the meat and dairy product food chain.
Research requests received and suggestions made in the Peer Review report will form an important basis on which to build.
As well as working on ALP projects, ALP will make a major contribution to the implementation of the 2008-2011 performance directive in the form of an Agroscope research programme. ALP is responsible for the programme entitled “Nutriscope: healthy, safe, high-quality food of Swiss origin“. 2007 will see us pressing ahead with the preparatory work in collabora- tion with our sister institutes ACW and ART.
Knowledge transfer and the exchange of information with clients and partners will also play an important role in 2007. ALP has two attractive events on offer this year:
On 21st April 2007 ALP’s Swiss Centre for Bee Research celebrates its 100th anniversary. 100 exciting and pro- ductive years will be reviewed, and a presentation given on the latest research into bee diseases.
At a conference on 8 November 2007 ALP will attract both a Swiss and an international audience. What is the added value of milk production and dairy products based on green forage, and how can this be imple- mented? The scientific background to this subject will be covered and concrete measures discussed.
The peer review carried out last September by external experts particularly highlighted the good management of ALP projects and pointed out interesting possibilities for improvement.
Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station ALP Tioleyre 4
CH-1725 Posieux Tel. +41 (0)26 407 71 11 Fax +41 (0)26 407 73 00
Publisher Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux ALP
Further information
For detailed information on the 15 projects performed by Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station ALP during 2006, visit our website:
www.alp.admin.ch E-mail: info@alp.admin.ch
