Questions and Answers on Agricultural and Livestock Systems and SOP solutions

This section brings together the questions that farmers, livestock producers, technicians, supply chains and institutions ask when searching for concrete solutions to improve the functioning of agricultural and livestock systems.

The answers reflect SOP’s approach: systemic, biological and science-based. They are designed to provide operational clarity, process understanding and guidance for informed decision-making.

Frequent questions about SOP Identity and Method

What type of company is SOP?
SOP is a company that develops science-based biological solutions to improve the functioning of agricultural and livestock systems. It works on the biological processes that regulate soil, plants, animals, manure and the environment, through an integrated, applied and measurable approach.
Learn more: The Company
Why choose SOP over other solutions available on the market?
SOP works on the overall functioning of the system, not on isolated individual effects. Its approach integrates environment, animals, manure and soil through manageable biological processes, providing results that are more stable and consistent over time.

Learn more: Science based solutions
Does SOP sell products or a method?
SOP solutions are operational tools that express a scientific method for managing the biological processes of agricultural and livestock systems.
Learn more: Science based solutions
On which pillars is the SOP approach based?
1. Barn environment as the first level of functional prevention Bedding, resting surfaces, cubicles, air, and microclimate represent the primary point of contact between the udder and the environment. When environmental balance is disrupted, biological pressure and functional stress increase, potentially affecting SCC (somatic cell count), milk hygiene, and production stability. Through SOP Biohygienization, farmers can promote:
  • a microbiologically more balanced environment,
  • reduced environmental pressure in critical areas,
  • greater hygienic stability over time, even in the presence of high organic matter.
    • 2. Udder management during sensitive phases of the production cycle Phases such as the dry period, peripartum, and lactation resumption are recognized as delicate moments for udder balance and milk quality. Within the Remedy line, SOP offers tools aimed at the functional and hygienic management of the udder, designed to support farming practices during these sensitive phases:
  • supporting continuity of udder physiology,
  • maintaining more stable environmental and operational conditions,
  • contributing to consistent milk quality indicators over time.
    • This approach aligns with the principles of risk reduction, monitoring, and progressive prevention, without replacing veterinary practices or official health protocols. 3. Animal welfare, milk quality, and system consistency A more stable farming system promotes:
  • greater animal comfort and rest,
  • reduced exposure to environmental and management stress,
  • more efficient udder physiology.
    • Over time, this consistency also reflects on milk quality indicators, including:
  • somatic cell count,
  • bacterial load,
  • milk composition (fat, protein, casein),
  • suitability for PDO supply chains and quality-based payment systems.
    • SOP solutions integrate into a broader system that includes:
  • proper milking routines,
  • continuous monitoring of production and quality parameters,
  • technical and veterinary supervision,
  • risk assessment pathways such as ClassyFarm and SQNBA.

    • Frequent questions about science, data, measurability

    Are SOP solutions supported by scientific evidence?
    Yes. SOP solutions are developed through ongoing activities of research, experimentation and validation in real operating conditions. Over the years, the SOP approach has been the subject of scientific collaborations and applied studies with universities and research centers, including Cornell University, University of California Davis, University of Guelph, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza, Università degli Studi di Milano, Università degli Studi di Torino and Università di Padova. The collected evidence includes: field data from operational livestock farms and agricultural companies measurements of biological, environmental and productive parameters observable results on system stability, process efficiency and resource use.
    Learn more:     SOP Science & Research
    Are the results of SOP solutions measurable?
    Yes. The SOP approach is based on observable and measurable parameters, such as process stability, efficiency in resource use and continuity of results over time. Solutions are applied and evaluated in real operating conditions.
    Learn more: SOP Science & Research
    Which biological parameters does the SOP approach act on?
    SOP works on biological parameters related to: microbiological dynamics environmental balance nutrient utilization stability of fermentation and mineralization processes. These parameters directly influence productive efficiency and management continuity.
    Learn more: SOP Science & Research

    Frequent questions about Manure, Digestate, Emissions

    What does biological manure management mean according to SOP?
    For SOP, biological manure management means considering slurry and digestate as active biological systems. By managing microbiological dynamics, SOP works to improve stability, agronomic quality and emission control, transforming manure into a resource that is functional to the farm system.
    Learn more: Slurry and ammonia
    How does SOP contribute to reducing ammonia emissions in livestock farming?
    SOP addresses ammonia reduction by improving the efficiency of the nitrogen cycle. It acts on the biological conditions of the manure system and the livestock environment, promoting more stable processes that reduce losses and improve nutrient utilization.
    Learn more:     Slurry and ammonia
    Does biogas completely solve the emission problem?
    According to SOP, anaerobic digestion represents an important phase of energy valorization. After the biodigester, biological management of digestate becomes crucial to complete the process, reduce residual emissions and improve integration with crop production.
    Learn more:     Digestate and post-biogas
    How does SOP contribute to emission reduction targets?
    SOP acts on the biological processes that influence ammonia, methane and other gas emissions. Improving system efficiency makes it possible to reduce losses and increase the functional use of resources. Learn more: Methane from manure
    How does SOP contribute to reducing manure odors?
    SOP addresses manure odor issues by acting on the biological processes that regulate fermentations within the manure system. When manure is biologically unbalanced, undesired fermentations increase, generating odorous compounds. Through biological manure management, SOP works to stabilize the system, reducing odor production while simultaneously improving the agronomic quality of the manure..
    Learn more:     Slurry and ammonia

    Frequent questions about Livestock environments, animals, welfare

    What is Biohygienization according to SOP?
    Biohygienization is SOP’s approach to the biological and microbiological management of livestock environments. It acts on environmental biological pressure to create more stable, functional conditions that support animal welfare and overall system balance.
    Learn more:     Biohygienization
    How does SOP address somatic cell count in milk?
    For SOP, somatic cell count is an indicator of the physiological status of the udder and the livestock system. The SOP approach is preventive and systemic: it works on environmental, biological and management conditions that support animal well-being and production stability.
    Learn more:     Udder and somatic cells
    Do SOP solutions replace conventional drugs or chemical fertilizers?
    SOP solutions are part of a biological and preventive system management approach. They act on processes that make the farm more efficient, stable and resilient, improving the use of resources already present in the system.
    Learn more:     Science based solutions
    What can a farmer do to reduce the incidence of mastitis in the herd?
    Udder problems, including clinical and subclinical mastitis, are recognized as multifactorial phenomena, influenced by the interaction between barn environment, farm management, nutrition, and animal physiology. In modern veterinary thought, mastitis is not considered an isolated event but rather an indicator of the overall quality of the farming system, particularly the consistency between environmental conditions, operational routines, and sensitive phases of the production cycle. Within this framework, parameters such as somatic cell count (SCC) in milk also take on a functional value: not only as a numerical threshold but as a signal of system stability and the farm’s ability to sustain udder physiology over time. SOP operates within this systemic dimension: designing and maintaining conditions that support udder functionality, while reducing environmental and management pressures that may impact milk quality indicators.
    How can a farmer manage somatic cell count and improve milk quality in a stable way?
    Milk quality is not defined by a single indicator, but by the balance between multiple components reflecting the overall functioning of the farming system. In particular, SCC is closely linked to the regularity of:
  • fat content,
  • protein content,
  • casein fraction,
  • technological and production continuity of milk.
    • When the system is coherent and stable, these parameters tend to express themselves more consistently, facilitating milk valorization within PDO supply chains and quality-based payment systems.
    The role of environment and management in indicator stability Environmental and operational conditions influence, indirectly but continuously:
  • the functional response of the udder,
  • animal metabolic efficiency,
  • the regularity of milk quality indicators.
    • More balanced housing environments, combined with coherent management of production phases, create conditions in which:
  • somatic cell count remains more stable over time,
  • milk composition (fat, protein, casein) is more predictable,
  • technological milk quality becomes more readable and traceable.
    • Through SOP Biohygienization and a system-coherence-oriented approach, farmers can work on the foundational conditions that support this stability.
    Milk quality as an expression of the farming system In the SOP model, milk quality is interpreted as an emergent property of the system, not as the result of a single corrective intervention. A well-governed system enables:
  • clearer interpretation of indicators,
  • more effective monitoring,
  • more informed management decisions.
    • This approach is consistent with modern risk assessment and animal welfare pathways such as ClassyFarm and SQNBA, which observe farms as integrated systems of conditions and practices rather than as collections of isolated actions.
    At SOP, the management of udder-related issues is addressed as part of a broader farming system, in which environment, animal welfare, and management practices work together to create functional and stable conditions over time.
    A system-oriented approach focused on overall consistency supports milk quality, production continuity, and alignment with modern models for risk assessment, sustainability, and animal welfare.

    Frequent questions about soil, crops, productivity

    What does soil fertility mean for SOP?
    For SOP, soil fertility is the capacity of the soil system to make nutrients available to crops through active and continuous biological processes. A biologically functional soil supports productivity, stability and quality over time.
    Learn more:     Soil fertility and crop nutrition
    Is it possible to reduce inputs while maintaining productivity?
    According to SOP’s experience, when biological processes function more efficiently, resources are used more effectively. This makes it possible to maintain consistent productive results and to build fertility and stability in the long term.
    Learn more:     Soil fertility and crop nutrition
    Is the SOP approach compatible with existing nutritional and agronomic programs?
    Yes. The SOP approach is designed to integrate with existing nutritional and agronomic programs, improving the efficiency of the biological processes that support their effectiveness.
    Approfondisci:     Soil fertility and crop nutrition

    Frequent questions about regenerative agriculture, environment, ESG

    What does regenerative agriculture mean according to SOP?
    For SOP, regenerative agriculture is a practical approach that strengthens the biological processes of the agricultural system. It means improving productivity, resilience and sustainability through the coherent functioning of the system over time.
    Learn more:     Regenerative agriculture
    Is the SOP approach consistent with ESG and sustainability criteria?
    Yes. The SOP approach improves the efficiency of agricultural and livestock systems, promoting responsible resource management, loss reduction and long-term value creation.
    Learn more:     Sustainability and B Corp
    Can SOP be considered a climate mitigation solution?
    SOP contributes to climate mitigation by acting on the biological processes that determine emissions and resource use. Improving system functioning represents a concrete lever to reduce overall environmental impact.
    Learn more:     Methane from manure

    Frequent questions about operational and regulatory context

    Who are SOP solutions intended for?
    SOP solutions are intended for:
    • farmers;
    • livestock producers;
    • agronomists and technicians;
    • agri-food and technicians;
    • institutions.
      • Because they work on shared, measurable and integrated processes within agricultural and livestock systems.
    Is the SOP approach compliant with environmental and livestock regulations?
    The SOP approach is oriented toward improving system functioning, reducing losses and using resources more efficiently. This makes it consistent with the objectives of environmental and livestock regulations, which aim to protect the environment, ensure animal welfare and promote sustainable processes.
    Learn more:     Slurry and manure
    Can SOP solutions be used in intensive livestock systems?
    Yes. SOP works on the biological processes that regulate system functioning, regardless of farm size. SOP solutions are applied in both intensive and more extensive systems, adapting to real operating conditions.
    Is the SOP approach a response to criticism of intensive livestock farming?
    SOP works to improve the functioning of agricultural and livestock systems by reducing losses, emissions and environmental pressures. This approach helps create a more balanced and responsible coexistence between food production, the environment and society.
    Learn more:     Regenerative agriculture
    How does SOP manage variability between different farms?
    SOP works on universal biological processes, adapting their application to the specific conditions of each system. This allows SOP to operate in different contexts while maintaining methodological consistency.
    Learn more:     Science based solutions