Cascina Braghiera, Cascina Marinona and Cascina Pelizzara – three state of the art business centres in Tortona in the province of Alessandria. These three businesses are all shaped around greening and, among other things, the production of renewable energy via biogas plants and solar power panel systems. We are greeted by Angelo Invernizzi and he introduces us to the three companies owned by his family. Our visit starts in Cascina Braghiera, the historical company founded by his father Adelio, a great innovator who a few years ago decided to pass the reins to his two sons Angelo and Carlo.

This is a modern complex, enclosed by a vast area of agricultural land and split into two sections. On the one side we can find the new livestock waste biogas production plant with the fermenter, and on the other, the different stables dedicated to the breeding of around 250 lactation cows. The company employs three full-time employees who look after the cowsheds.

Nowadays, agriculture finds itself dealing with new global requirements: greater competitiveness, an increase in the request for products both as foodstuff and for energetic use in the face of a limited availability of natural resources such as water and land. In this context, Apsovsementi, a well-established seed selector company founded in 1967, whose managing director is Carlo Invernizzi, serves the world of agriculture by investing in research aimed at meeting changing market requirements.

35 years ago the head of the family had already worked out that the Fendt brand was the best on the market and immediately purchased three models: the 306, the 308 and the 309. "Old timers" that are still working well and still in use. Even with the generational changeover, the choice has always gone to the German brand. In 2010 the 312 Vario was added and can boast 2,000 working hours, and the 415 Vario with 1,800 working hours; in 2011 the fleet of vehicles was increased with the 939 Vario and the most recent purchase in 2013, was the 724 Vario with 3,000 working hours. Cascina Marinona is run full-time b Angelo Invernizzi and two specialist employees: Alessio Contardi and Andrea Giuliano.