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

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 èis 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

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