Characterization Plan – Environmental Data for More Informed Decisions
Managing natural resources sustainably means having a deep understanding of the territory.
This conviction led, in 2020, to the launch of the Characterization Plan of Environmental Components, promoted by Assegnatari Associati Arborea with the goal of monitoring and improving nitrogen management within the farms of the Arborea Milk Supply Chain, particularly in the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). These are areas identified by European Union member states where surface or groundwater is potentially at risk due to excessive nitrates from agricultural sources such as chemical fertilizers and livestock effluents, including slurry and manure.
The Characterization Plan is part of the cooperative’s broader commitment to low-impact livestock farming, combining productivity, animal welfare, and the protection of water and soil resources.
360° Analysis: Effluents, Soils, and Water
Monitoring activities focus on three key environmental components:
- Livestock effluents (slurry and by-products used as organic fertilizer in fields)
- Agricultural soils
- Groundwater, particularly water used for animal drinking
Each year, around the summer maize fertilization period, slurry from a sample of Arborea Milk member farms is collected. The analysis aims to precisely quantify nitrogen content and optimize the Agronomic Utilization Plans (PUA), avoiding waste and reducing the risk of improper nitrogen application to crops.
Data collected have shown that nitrogen concentration in slurry can vary significantly based on:
- Climatic and seasonal factors
- Management practices (animal feeding, farm infrastructure, adopted technologies)
- Efficiency levels in effluent collection and storage
From Soil to Aquifer: Mapping and Prevention
Since 2023, monitoring has expanded to include:
- Drinking wells: to check the quality of water for animals and investigate possible correlations with livestock practices
- Agricultural land: to study its nitrogen retention capacity and prevent leaching into aquifers
This systematic work has allowed the creation of a scientifically robust database, providing farmers with concrete guidance on improving the environmental management of their farms.
A Digital System for Continuous Monitoring
All collected data feed into an Environmental Geo Database, a dynamic digital platform that allows users to:
- Map the environmental status of farms in the NVZ
- Monitor the evolution of environmental parameters over time
- Predictively identify potential critical issues
The Geo DB is now a strategic tool for territorial sustainability, supporting more informed decisions based on verifiable and shareable scientific data.
The Characterization Plan is a concrete example of how Arborea approaches environmental sustainability with method, transparency, and innovation, reinforcing its commitment to agriculture that protects what nourishes us.
Discover all the projects through which Arborea protects the territory, from soil to aquifers.
FAQs
What is meant by “Environmental Component Characterization Plan”?
This project was born to gain a deep understanding of our territory: the soil, water, and effluents from dairy farms. We monitor, analyze, and improve to protect what nourishes us every day. This is how we build a more responsible agriculture, with concrete actions and a long-term vision.
Why is it important to monitor nitrogen?
Because it’s a precious but delicate resource. It helps plants grow, but if used incorrectly, it can pose a problem for soil and groundwater. Knowing its levels helps us use it more effectively, reducing waste and protecting the environment.
What are Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)?
These are particularly sensitive areas, where waters are at risk of being polluted by nitrates, a derivative of nitrogen found in fertilizers or livestock effluents. For this very reason, we are taking even greater care in these areas, adopting targeted and sustainable agricultural practices regulated by the Nitrate Action Plan.
What is analyzed in the Characterization Plan?
We analyze livestock effluent to understand its composition, monitor soil health to understand how much nitrogen it can absorb, and analyze water from cattle watering wells to ensure it remains clean. Each sample tells a story, and guides us toward more informed decisions.
How is the collected data used?
All the information flows into an advanced digital platform—the Geo Data Base—which allows us to map the environmental evolution of farms, predict potential critical issues, and plan targeted interventions. It’s our way of making sustainability measurable, shared, and everyday.
Sustainability
Sustainability is not just an opportunity, but a duty and a mission.
Combining economic objectives with environmental and social ones is a choice that represents the Company’s concrete commitment to achieving the common well-being of the community.