Scott Dick , P.Ag., Agra-Gold Consulting, Landmark, MB Scott Dick , P.Ag., Agra-Gold Consulting, Landmark, MB
Testing and monitoring groundwater supports my desire to help hog farmers be more sustainable. Testing and monitoring groundwater supports my desire to help hog farmers be more sustainable.
Manitoba hog farmers are leaders in environmental best practices. Manitoba hog farmers are leaders in environmental best practices.
A steady march of progress A steady march of progress
Safeguarding natural resources Let’s apply machine-learning to a long-standing agricultural practice – applying hog manure as fertilizer on cropland. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, or NIR sensor technology, is part of the evolution of harnessing the latest in technology and artificial intelligence to not only move a sector forward, but to better protect the environment. This sensor gives a farmer real-time, second by second information on the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and dry matter. The sensor is also plumbed into the transmission of the tractor, controlling the speed of both the tractor and the applicator. This example of cutting-edge, precision agriculture was released in North America in 2019 and is rapidly becoming the new standard across Manitoba for how manure is applied to the soil. This example of cutting-edge, precision agriculture was released in North America in 2019 and is rapidly becoming the new standard across Manitoba for how manure is applied to the soil. Using the latest in technology, the provincial hog sector’s commitment to continuous improvement has entered a new generation. While nobody knows what farming is going to look like in the next decade or century, farmers will continue to embrace new technology that reduces their environmental impact and helps feed the world. to look like in the next decade or century, farmers will continue to embrace new technology that reduces their environmental impact and helps feed the world. Using the latest in technology, the provincial hog sector’s commitment to continuous improvement has entered a new generation. While nobody knows what farming is going Safeguarding natural resources Let’s apply machine-learning to a long-standing agricultural practice – applying hog manure as fertilizer on cropland. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, or NIR sensor technology, is part of the evolution of harnessing the latest in technology and artificial intelligence to not only move a sector forward, but to better protect the environment. This sensor gives a farmer real-time, second by second information on the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and dry matter. The sensor is also plumbed into the transmission of the tractor, controlling the speed of both the tractor and the applicator.
Over generations of ownership and operation, farms and barns have continually evolved, with ongoing improvements in on-farm practices being the one constant. From the province’s first farmers working with horses and plows and raising a few animals in small pens to today’s well-lit and technologically advanced barns, and from the use of modest steel threshers to massive modern combines, Manitoba farmers have become global leaders in helping feed the world by producing food through the livestock they raise and the crops they grow. Advances in technology, including the use of artificial intelligence, have enabled farmers to adapt, increasing production while reducing their environmental footprint. Modern hog farms are an example of this progress – be that through innovations like optimized feeding systems, automated barn ventilation, continuous animal health monitoring, or the precise application of nutrients to the soil. Advances in technology, including the use of artificial intelligence, have enabled farmers to adapt, increasing production while reducing their environmental footprint. Modern hog farms are an example of this progress – be that through innovations like optimized feeding systems, automated barn ventilation, continuous animal health monitoring, or the precise application of nutrients to the soil. Over generations of ownership and operation, farms and barns have continually evolved, with ongoing improvements in on-farm practices being the one constant. From the province’s first farmers working with horses and plows and raising a few animals in small pens to today’s well-lit and technologically advanced barns, and from the use of modest steel threshers to massive modern combines, Manitoba farmers have become global leaders in helping feed the world by producing food through the livestock they raise and the crops they grow.
manitobapork.com/environment manitobapork.com/environment
43 SUMMER 2026
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