B8998 - GESTIONE AZIENDALE DEI REFLUI ZOOTECNICI

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the key processes involved in soil nutrient cycling and their relationship with the soil–climate–plant system; rational fertilization management practices through the use of untreated livestock manure and biologically treated manure (anaerobic digestion), and their application within the framework of sustainable precision agriculture; and strategies for recycling agro-industrial biomass in agricultural soils and recovering the nutrients they contain.

Specifically, students will be able to:

• design fertilization plans at both field and farm scales;

• assess soil fertility;

• identify the main categories of fertilizers;

• evaluate the agronomic value of animal and agro-industrial biomass and plan their appropriate use in agricultural soils.

This course is part of an integrated programme whose overall learning objectives can be summarized as follows:

Upon completion of the integrated course, students will have acquired the knowledge required to develop and manage livestock production systems sustainably by integrating complementary competencies in animal breeding and genetic improvement of livestock species, conservation of animal genetic resources, farm-scale management of livestock manure, and the optimization of its use to maintain soil fertility while addressing environmental processes related to soil health and sustainability. Students will also gain expertise in livestock monitoring and farm automation for precision livestock farming, as well as in technologies for reducing environmental impacts and producing renewable energy within integrated crop–livestock farming systems.

Course contents

Course Overview

The course covers the technical, agronomic, environmental, and regulatory aspects of on-farm livestock manure management, examining the entire management chain from manure production to its proper agronomic utilization.

Particular emphasis is placed on current legislation, environmental impact mitigation, Best Available Techniques (BAT), and farm nutrient management planning according to the principles of the circular economy.

Course UnitsUNIT 1. Introduction to Livestock Manure Management (2 hours)

Topics

• Livestock manure as both a resource and an environmental challenge

• Evolution of the Italian livestock sector

• Livestock manure production

• Circular economy and sustainability

Learning Outcomes

Students will acquire knowledge of:

• the role of livestock manure in agricultural systems;

• the main environmental issues associated with manure management;

• the interactions between livestock farming, soil, and the surrounding environment.

UNIT 2. Legislation on Livestock Manure Management (6 hours)2.1 Evolution of the Regulatory Framework

• Nitrates Directive

• Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)

• National implementation

• Regional legislation

2.2 Agronomic Use of Livestock Manure

• Application limits

• Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)

• Manure storage capacity

• Closed periods for land application

• Nutrient Management Plan (Piano di Utilizzazione Agronomica, PUA)

• Farm compliance requirements

2.3 Emission Reduction

• Integrated Environmental Permit (IPPC/AIA)

• Best Available Techniques (BAT)

• Environmental management

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• interpret the current regulatory framework;

• apply the main legal requirements governing manure management;

• understand farm obligations related to livestock manure management.

UNIT 3. Agronomic Management of Livestock Manure (7 hours)

Topics

• Agronomic characteristics of livestock manure

• Crop nutrient requirements

• Nitrogen balance

• Nutrient management planning

• Manure application techniques

• Strategies for reducing nutrient losses

• Soil fertility management

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• plan manure applications according to crop requirements;

• evaluate farm nutrient balances;

• optimize nitrogen use efficiency;

• minimize nutrient losses to the atmosphere and water bodies.

UNIT 4. Sustainable Manure Management and Case Studies (5 hours)

Topics

• Best Available Techniques (BAT)

• Manure storage management

• Reduction of ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions

• Technological innovation

• Farm examples

• Case studies

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• critically evaluate different manure management systems;

• identify the most appropriate management techniques according to farm characteristics;

• integrate productive, environmental, and economic considerations into sustainable livestock manure management.

Readings/Bibliography

La Gestione dei Reflui Zootecnici di Giorgio Provolo

ISBN: 9788895995489

Teaching methods

• Lectures, aimed at providing students with the theoretical foundations and regulatory framework of livestock manure management.
• Case study analysis, including discussion of practical examples of manure management in different livestock production systems.
• Technical and scientific seminars, based on the analysis of legislation, technical guidelines, Best Available Techniques (BAT), and recent scientific literature.

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of an oral examination including approximately three to five questions, lasting about 20–30 minutes.

The examination is designed to evaluate students' knowledge of the scientific and regulatory topics covered during the course, their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical livestock manure management scenarios, and their capacity to integrate agronomic, environmental and legislative aspects in solving technical problems.

The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale.

The examination is passed with a minimum score of 18/30. The result is communicated to the student immediately after the interview.

Teaching tools

Lectures and seminars delivered either in person or, where necessary, through remote learning platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams) in response to emergency situations.

Practical sessions involving the use of specialized software, conducted either in the computer laboratory or through remote learning platforms using students' own computers.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Grigatti