NITROSCAN – For agriculture that’s good for the land
It is from this need that NITROSCAN was born, a project launched in April 2024 in collaboration with the regional agency LAORE, with the goal of optimizing nitrogen management in livestock and agricultural systems through the use of advanced technologies that can be easily applied within the Arborea Milk Supply Chain.
At the heart of the project is the use of NIR (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) technology, which makes it possible to analyze the composition of livestock effluents in real time, measuring key parameters — such as total nitrogen concentration — quickly, affordably, and non-invasively.
Objectives and benefits of the project
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, but its inefficient use can lead to significant environmental risks, such as water and soil pollution.
Through the NITROSCAN system, Arborea promotes precision agriculture capable of:
- reducing nutrient waste by optimizing the agronomic use of effluents;
- precisely calibrating fertilizer doses in Agronomic Utilization Plans (PUA), improving productive resilience;
- increasing farm efficiency by enhancing crop yields;
- limiting environmental impact by helping protect water resources and reducing the nitrogen footprint of the supply chain.
A network effort for agricultural innovation
The project is the result of a synergistic collaboration between:
- the Regional Agency LAORE for technical assistance to farms – the lead partner of the initiative,
- Assegnatari Associati Arborea,
- the Arborea Producers Cooperative,
- and the scientific contribution of the Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy at the University of Cagliari.
This network has made it possible to implement a continuous effluent monitoring system, useful for dynamically guiding organic fertilization strategies during spreading periods.
Next steps: more data, more precision
In 2025, a new campaign will be launched to characterize livestock effluents, with the goal of improving the calibration of the NIR instrument and further refining agronomic strategies based on real data.
This will make it possible to provide farms within the supply chain with increasingly customized guidance, tailored to the climatic, crop, and environmental conditions of each area.
NITROSCAN represents a concrete step toward circular, technological, and sustainable livestock farming, where respect for the land and productive efficiency go hand in hand — moving toward an agriculture that looks to the future with reliable data and smart tools.
Learn more about how Arborea cultivates innovation and sustainability, day after day.
FAQs
What are livestock effluents?
Livestock effluents are the liquid waste, manure, and organic waste produced on livestock farms, primarily urine, feces, and residues from the bedding where animals are kept in stables (primarily straw). In agriculture, they are used as natural fertilizers to enrich the soil with nutrients, particularly nitrogen, and to enhance the organic matter content of the soil.
When managed intelligently – as in the NITROSCAN project – they become a precious resource for nourishing fields more sustainably, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and protecting the environment.
What exactly is NIR technology?
NIR stands for Near Infrared Spectroscopy. It’s a technology that allows for real-time analysis of the composition of livestock manure without the need for laboratory analysis. It’s fast, precise, and non-invasive: perfect for precision farming within everyone’s reach.
Why is it important to know the composition of effluents?
Because every field has different needs, and every effluent is different. Knowing how much nitrogen a slurry contains means using it better: nourishing the soil without overloading it, avoiding waste and pollution, and achieving healthier and more productive crops.
What is “data-driven” fertilization?
This means abandoning the “one dose fits all” approach and moving toward calibrated fertilization based on the actual composition of the effluent and the characteristics of the soil. Thanks to NITROSCAN, companies will be able to customize their Agronomic Use Plans (AUPs) for each individual plot, season, and weather conditions.
Is the project already active? Who benefits?
Yes, NITROSCAN has been active since 2024. Initial results have been gathered through a network of pilot farms and will be shared with the entire Arborea Milk Supply Chain. The goal is to make this technology available and useful to every breeder and farmer in our cooperative.
How will the project evolve?
In 2025, we will launch a new characterization campaign to make the NIR instrument even more precise. We aim to offer increasingly reliable and personalized information, transforming every piece of data into a tangible resource for the company, the land, and the environment.
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.