Building a Better Province For Future Generations

Over the past five decades, significant progress has been made to further reduce the environmental impact of hog farming, and Manitoba farmers follow the strictest environmental regulations in North America.

At a Glance

• Carbon footprint international benchmark shows Canadian pork has the third-lowest C02 per kilogram in the world.
• Eliminating run-off into waterways, manure is injected directly into the soil where the plant roots can absorb the nutrients.
• Manitoba farmers have become world leaders in soil and manure management technology.
• Comprised of over 90% water, injectable hog manure is used as a high value, organic fertilizer by grain farmers.
• New technologies are greatly reducing odour from hog operations.

Environment Video Playlist

Manitoba hog farmers regularly invest in research and adopt new and emerging nutrient management methods, technology, and best management practices to further lessen environmental impact.

To learn more about how Manitoba’s 624 hog operations are focused on environmental sustainability, read our Pigs and the Environment factsheet.

Manure management

Pig manure is a valuable organic fertilizer that has been used by farmers for over 10,000 years to help build and maintain soil health. Using manure to enrich the soil decreases the need for synthetic or imported fertilizer. In addition to providing the soil with valuable nutrients, manure also delivers a substantial amount of organic material, essential to renew soil quality and battle soil compaction that can reduce the ability of a plant’s roots to penetrate the soil and draw nutrients.

Under provincial regulations, hog farmers are required to file annual manure management plans with the provincial government that outline the lands that they intend to apply manure on each year. This involves annual soil testing to determine the current level of nutrients in the soil and identifies application rates to ensure that manure is applied based on the nutrient requirements of the crops that will be grown on the land.

About 85% of pig manure in Manitoba is injected about 15 centimeters (6 inches) into the soil of cropland. This method of application ensures that valuable nutrients are not lost through runoff into our lakes and waterways but remain firmly in the soil to help crops grow. Manure injection almost entirely reduces runoff into waterways, greatly reduces odour, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and is overall better for crops.

To learn more about how Manitoba Pork supports manure research, visit our Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative page.