These practices reduce or eliminate cultivation of the soil, cut tillage costs, and reduce wind and water erosion and soil moisture evaporation. Most Manitoba farmers already use minimum or reduced tillage practices on a significant part of their land. The number of dairy cows in the province has gradually decreased over the last 40 years, from 277,000 in 1946 to the present 65,000 cows. A regulation under The Environment Act addresses the quality of runoff from livestock operations, with the aim of protecting receiving waters. In its present form, however, the regulation does not cover certain types of farms that can cause pollution.
Examples are the feeding or watering of livestock in concentrated areas at or near streams or lakes.
Agricultural use of the land, while an acknowledged necessity, never-theless has a considerable impact on other uses. Conservation farming - Better Minimum and reduced tillage are growing in popularity, and farmers are summerfallowing less. Shelterbelt planting continues, with modest increases planned, reducing wind erosion and boosting soil moisture by encouraging greater retention of snow cover. Crop rotation and other sound farming practices are common, and stubble burning has decreased. Alternate pest control - Better Recent years have seen an increase in the use of biological methods of pest control.