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Adattamento al cambiamento climatico, e in particolare il ruolo dell’agricoltura nel processo di mitigazione dei fenomeni climatici, sono stati i temi al centro dell’in...
Dal laboratorio al caseificio. Ecco come una ricerca iniziata nei laboratori della Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali dell’Università Cattolica...
Inaugurata presso il centro CERZOO una nuova cella frigorifera dedicata alla conservazione del germoplasma. L'iniziativa, curata dal gruppo di ricerca di Genetica agraria della Fac...
Cerzoo is a RESEARCH and EXTENSION STATION to think and realize innovation and sustainability in agriculture.
Cerzoo was founded in 1980 and, over time, has become the research farm of the Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Piacenza.
Cerzoo aims at studying sustainable agricultural techniques and animal breeding thanks to the collaboration of researchers from different departments of the Faculty. Cerzoo is authorized by the Italian Ministry of Health to carry out research on animals in full respect of their welfare.
Cerzoo means RESEARCH for a sustainable and resilient agricultural system
Agricultural research is addressed to soil fertility and health, soil organic matter increase, efficient use of inputs (saving on fossil fuels, energy, fertilizers, agrochemicals, irrigation water), biodiversity in agroecosystem, and integration of new digital techniques in precision agriculture (remote-sensing, satellite maps, variable-rate distribution of inputs, georeferenced cropping, quality monitoring).
Cerzoo means RESEARCH for improving animal health and welfare
In the context of animal welfare, the research Center aims at the prevention of disorders and the nutritional optimization of the most critical phases of their life (birth, weaning, and calving). Moreover, research projects are performed to study and improve the state-of-art of those PLF (Precision Livestock Farming) technologies designed to monitor animal behavior and improve the health, welfare, and adaptation capacity of farm animals in different physiologic, environmental, and feeding conditions.
Cerzoo means RESEARCH for improving animal nutrition
The trials on cultivation techniques and preservation of forages aim to reduce loss and waste. Cerzoo performs in vitro and in vivo analyses of raw materials and develops feed formulations, additives, and supplements. Moreover, it carries out toxicity testing for the presence of residues (e.g., mycotoxins, heavy metals, drugs) in feeds and animal products.
Cerzoo means RESEARCH for sustainability of livestock production
To reduce the pollution load of manure and value its agronomic use, Cerzoo performs trials to optimize the management and feeding strategies of cows. Moreover, at the Center, manure is processed to reduce the emissions of ammonia, greenhouse gases, and smell.
History of Cerzoo
The current corporate structure of Cerzoo was established in 2017 when Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi Foundation granted funding to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore to realize an agro-livestock farm to be a model of environmental sustainability in the dairy chain and a way for research and teaching activities of the Faculty of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences.
Cerzoo is the extension station of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and has been deeply renewed thanks to the Invernizzi Foundation funding and transformed into a virtuous model of agro-livestock farm, able to run environmentally and economically sustainable practices, respectful of animal welfare and implementable by farmers.
