SIGN - Development of an Integrated Nutrient Management System

Project carried out with funding from the FEASR

Operation 16.2.01 – “Pilot projects and development of innovation” under the 2014–2020 Rural Development Programme of the Lombardy Region

WITH THE CONTRIBUTION OF

Objective

The SIGN project is dedicated to developing solutions to support the ecological transition of dairy cattle farms, with a particular focus on the Lombardy region. The main objective is the development of an advanced prototype for the optimized management of fertilization in livestock farms. This prototype is designed to improve nutrient use efficiency, while simultaneously increasing productivity and reducing the overall environmental impact of agricultural activities.

The project

The optimal management of nutrient flows represents a crucial challenge for Italian livestock farming, particularly in Lombardy, given its significance in the national agricultural landscape. The primary goal is to reduce emissions and the environmental impact on air and water, while simultaneously optimizing fertilizer use to improve soil quality and promote a circular economy.

To address this challenge, it is essential to develop integrated management strategies supported by data-driven decision-making tools. The project aimed to develop an Integrated Nutrient Management System (SIGN), designed to quantify nutrient flows, assess the effectiveness of existing technologies, and optimize fertilizer use. The ambition was to create a model that, through constrained optimization techniques, would allow the optimization of fertilization inputs based on agronomic needs, economic evaluations, and existing regulatory and environmental constraints.

SIGN enables a quantitative description of nutrient flows between the different farm compartments, evaluates the effectiveness of applied technologies, and optimizes fertilizer use. The application of this tool aims to reduce nutrient losses, such as greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, and to increase soil nutrient reserves, thereby improving the environmental sustainability of dairy cattle farms.

The partners

The project was carried out by a partnership composed of:

Morenica Società Agricola a Responsabilità Limitata and Società Agricola Locatelli Ezio, Valter, Carlo, Enrico e Laura SS

The agricultural companies Morenica and Locatelli, together with the Gardalatte cooperative, represent a center of excellence in the Lombardy agri-food sector, combining tradition and innovation for sustainable production.

Morenica, located in Lonato del Garda, specializes in breeding Italian Friesian cows and producing milk for Grana Padano cheese. The farm adopts sustainable practices, such as using a biodigester to produce energy and fertilizer from livestock manure.

Locatelli, based in Castelvisconti, focuses on cattle farming and the cultivation of forage and cereals. The company is committed to reducing its environmental impact by adopting innovative technologies for manure management and greenhouse gas emission reduction.

Gardalatte Società Cooperativa Agricola

Gardalatte, a cooperative with 54 members, is a key player in the production of high-quality cheeses, particularly Grana Padano and Provolone Valpadana. The company uses a biogas plant to reduce emissions and has achieved important certifications for quality and animal welfare.

University of Brescia

UNIBS, through the Agrofood Research Hub, plays a key role in research and innovation for the sustainability of the agri-food supply chain. The lab focuses on developing innovative approaches for sustainability assessment and management, food quality, and risk reduction in the sector.

The collaboration among these entities aims to promote sustainable agri-food production that respects the environment and ensures high product quality.

The results achieved and the new knowledge acquired

The project reached highly significant results, offering valuable insights into current fertilization strategies and their impact on the environment and the sustainable use of natural capital. The application of the SIGN prototype to two major agricultural operations in Lombardy highlighted the potential of well-defined nutrient management strategies in supporting the ecological transition of the agri-livestock sector.

The analysis of the dairy farming agro-livestock system made it possible to understand biomass and nutrient flows and their losses to air, soil, and water. One of the most innovative aspects of the project was the development of a simulation model for nutrient flows in the soil, which integrated data on the soil’s chemical and physical characteristics, biochemical processes, and nutrient inputs. Developing this model required setting up field trials to verify the parameters and assumptions behind the prototype. Thanks to continuous monitoring of the soil in farms located in the Brescia area, the project was able to assess the maize crop cycle and the effects of both organic and synthetic fertilization.

The importance of the project lies in its ability to provide a scientific foundation for nutrient management in livestock farms. It clearly demonstrated that environmental sustainability depends on accurately controlling biomass and nutrient flows, and it made it possible to identify performance differences between farms, highlighting areas for improvement toward more efficient management. The focus on nitrogen proved especially significant: proper management of manure during storage and spreading is essential to reduce atmospheric losses and improve nutrient availability for crops. Moreover, distinguishing between the different chemical forms of nitrogen is crucial for accurately estimating emissions and its contribution to the soil.

The project demonstrated the value of quantifying mass and nutrient flows, emphasizing the need to consider the entire farm ecosystem when developing more sustainable strategies. Mapping farm performance allows for the identification of best practices and encourages the adoption of more efficient technologies. This approach supports the creation of tools to reward high-performing farms and assist those in need of improvement, through a cost-benefit assessment of available innovations.

Beyond its impact on farming practices, the project has direct implications for agricultural policies. The data collected offer concrete guidance for setting strategic priorities in the agri-livestock sector and allow for an in-depth evaluation of the investments needed to implement new technologies. With this scientifically grounded information, it becomes possible to develop more targeted and effective policies capable of promoting a more sustainable use of resources.

Brochure suolo SIGN agricoltori.pdf

Brochure stalla SIGN agricoltori.pdf

Brochure SIGN filiera.pdf

Events

Presentation of the SIGN project results for sustainable livestock farming in Lombardy

11/12/2024

Wednesday, December 11th, at the CSMT Conference Hall, were presented the main results of the SIGN project – Development of an Integrated Nutrient Management System. The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions while promoting carbon sequestration in Lombardy’s agro-livestock sector.

The project led to the development of an innovative tool to support the ecological transition of the regional livestock sector, contributing to new solutions for:

Optimizing resource use in dairy cattle farming.
Reducing environmental impacts, enhancing the sector's sustainability.
Closing nutrient cycles by minimizing losses and waste.
Promoting ecosystem services for the benefit of the environment and society.

This project represents a significant step forward toward a more innovative, responsible, and climate-conscious agriculture.

Conference: Integrated Nutrient Management System in Lombardy's Agro-Livestock Sector

02/04/2024

Conference organized by Agrofood Research Hub as part of the presentation of the PSR Regione Lombardia project (2014-2020) titled "Development of an Integrated Nutrient Management System for reducing GHG and ammonia emissions and promoting carbon sequestration in Lombardy's agro-livestock sector (SIGN)".

The conference offers the opportunity to delve into issues related to nutrient management in agro-livestock, both methodologically and in terms of their impact on the sector's environmental sustainability.

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfh5vFMtYzZwxnTmFXV7uUcSGer6I9oVCzA2kp1tVTISnRuuA/viewform