Good Practice - Project
ZOPOS a.s. – Modernisation investments in cattle breeding
Czechian CAP investment project strengthens a cattle‑breeding company’s sustainability and efficiency by expanding manure storage and modernising key livestock‑management systems.
General information
Beneficiary type
- Small-Micro Enterprise
CAP specific objective
- SO2. Increasing competitiveness: the role of productivity
Intervention type
- Art. 73-74 – INVEST
Summary
This CAP co-funded investment project, implemented by ZOPOS a.s. (a company engaged in agricultural production and related services), involved the construction of a new 5 443 m³ liquid manure storage tank. The investment extended storage periods and enabled better fertiliser application at optimal times, reducing nutrient losses and lowering the risk of groundwater contamination.
The project also modernised livestock breeding through the installation of an animal identification and movement‑monitoring system to improve herd management, automatic calf‑feeding devices, electric scratchers to enhance dairy cow welfare, and new manure shovels to ensure efficient manure removal.
Results
- The project increased the farm’s efficiency and sustainability by adding over nine months of slurry storage and improving fertiliser use.
- It also enhanced herd monitoring and reproduction, reduced labour through automatic calf feeding, improved cow welfare with electric scratchers, and ensured smoother slurry removal with new equipment.
Promoter
ZOPOS a.s.
Funding
Total budget: 811 895.96 (EUR)
EAFRD: 113 140.42 (EUR)
National/Regional: 210 117.99 (EUR)
Private/own: 488 637.55 (EUR)
Resources
Links
Context
ZOPOS a.s. is an agricultural company engaged in crop production and livestock farming, largely operating a bedding‑free housing system (slatted floors), which requires adequate capacity for liquid manure storage. The project addresses the need to expand this capacity through the construction of a new storage tank, ensuring compliance with the legislative requirement for more than nine months of storage. This investment also enables the application of fertilisers at optimal times, reducing nutrient losses and lowering the risk of groundwater contamination.
In parallel, the project modernises livestock production by introducing a new animal identification system for more accurate detection of oestrus and health issues, automatic calf feeding equipment to reduce labour demands, electric cow scratchers to improve dairy cow welfare, and new manure shovels to ensure reliable barn operation.
Objectives
The aim of these investments was to ensure the sustainable operation of cattle breeding, strengthen compliance with regulatory requirements, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
Activities
Project activities included:
- Construction of a monolithic concrete tank with a usable capacity of 5 443 m³.
- Construction of a dispensing point and basic structural elements (platform and low‑voltage distribution system).
- Installation of a submersible pump (18.5 kW), three agitators (15 kW each), and suction and filling pipes with valves.
- Installation of electrical switchboards and control units for operational management.
- Purchase and installation of a new animal identification and monitoring system (700 units according to herd capacity).
- Installation of automatic feeding machines for calves to replace manual feeding in huts.
- Installation of electric scratchers in stables to replace the previously used mechanical devices.
- Replacement of old, malfunctioning manure shovels with new systems serving four manure corridors.
Main results
- The project has strengthened the efficiency, sustainability, and stability of the farm’s operations.
- The construction of a 5 443 m³ storage tank now provides more than nine months of slurry storage, reducing nutrient losses and lowering the risk of groundwater contamination.
- The ability to apply fertilisers at optimal times has increased their agronomic effectiveness.
- The new animal identification system has improved the detection of oestrus and health issues, contributing to better herd reproduction.
- Automatic calf‑feeding systems have reduced labour requirements by dozens of hours per month while ensuring consistent and even feeding.
- The installation of electric scratchers has enhanced dairy cow welfare, supporting their production potential.
- Finally, the replacement of old, malfunctioning manure shovels has improved the reliability and smoothness of slurry removal.
Key lessons
- Increase liquid manure storage capacity to enable fertiliser application at agronomically optimal times. Adequate storage significantly reduces nutrient losses and lowers the risk of groundwater contamination. Farms handling slurry should prioritise maximising storage capacity to ensure the efficient and environmentally responsible use of this nutrient source.
- Install a high‑quality animal identification and oestrus‑detection system to improve herd monitoring. Such systems reduce the time required for manual oestrus detection, enhance reproductive performance, and lower associated labour and veterinary costs.
Even the modernisation of so-called unproductive things, such as slurry tanks, is ultimately very productive!