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MANITOBA HOG FARMERS ARE GOING GREEN Today's hog barns are an example of sustainability in action. Thanks to technological advances, lights, fans, and heating and cooling systems use significantly less energy than they once did. Similar advancements in electronic water and feeding equipment ensure pigs are well-fed while reducing the amount of wasted water and feed. These technological advancements not only minimize the sector's carbon footprint, but also cut down on the cost of production allowing producers to reinvest in their barns. MANURE: A VALUABLE ORGANIC FERTILIZER The adoption of improved manure management practices have turned hog manure from a waste product into a valuable organic fertilizer that helps renew nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, allowing farmers to grow healthy and nutritious food. Each year, farmers engage professional agrologists to test soils and develop a plan for manure application dependent on crops to be grown on the land. This manure management planning ensures that manure is applied at a rate that will best help the crops grow, without wasting any valuable organic fertilizer. According to Statistics Canada, about 90 percent of hog manure in Manitoba is injected under the soil surface or incorporated into the soil, the highest rate in Canada. This not only helps prevent nutrient run-off and mitigate odour and greenhouse gas emissions, but also ensures that important nutrients are applied to the roots of the plants where they best enhance crop growth. Sustainable manure management helps minimize the carbon footprint of not only Manitoba's hog sector, but Manitoba's agriculture sector as well, reducing the need to purchase and transport synthetic fertilizers. Manitoba hog farmers are leaders in environmental best practices. Testing and monitoring groundwater supports my desire to help hog farmers be more sustainable. manitobapork.com/environment Scott Dick, P.Ag., Agra-Gold Consulting, Landmark, MB

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