Assiniboine students ready to “Squeal on Pigs”

Students in the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment are gaining first-hand experience in environmental research, contributing to an innovative project aimed at tracking invasive wild pigs across Manitoba.

Through the “Squeal on Pigs” initiative, students are working alongside researchers to detect wild pig presence using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, an industry standard method that identifies trace genetic material left behind in waterways. The project offers a unique opportunity for students to step beyond the classroom and into real-world research.

“I’m really excited to actually get in the water,” said Samantha Havixbeck, a Year-1 Land & Water Management student from Sanford, Manitoba. “I have been told that I will become very familiar with the water-based sampling. We will also be testing the physical characteristics of the water; turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH and temperature, which is something that interests me, so this opportunity will really support that.”

For many students, the Land & Water Management program at Assiniboine lies in the balance between theory and application. “It really marries a lot of the scientific understanding that our classes are laying down with actual field work; cementing a theoretical education with a practical application,” said Zach Leeco, a Year-1 Edwards School summer student working on the research. The former member of Canada’s Armed Forces is studying for his second career at Assiniboine. “I was in the military for eight years in the artillery, and being in school is definitely a change of pace. As a student, I value the open forum for asking questions and thinking critically, and this project supports that sort of problem-solving and strategizing.”

The work involves alternating between field sampling and laboratory preparation, with students collecting water samples and testing for indicators of swine DNA in Manitoba waterways. This type of immersive learning is exactly what draws students to the program, with the initiative also speaking to a larger purpose: protecting Manitoba’s ecosystems and agricultural industry.

Wild pigs are an invasive species that can cause significant environmental damage and pose risks such as the spread of disease. By identifying where pigs are active, researchers can better focus control efforts.

Faculty Researcher and project lead James Hood shared that the initiative emphasizes a type of experiential learning that is essential in preparing students for careers in environmental science and natural resource management. Students are not only learning technical procedures but also critical thinking, adaptability, and teamwork in changing outdoor conditions.

First and foremost, he feels the work will have real implications on the safety and security of Manitoba’s hog industry, “These animals should not be here, so we need to figure out where they are and try to remove them from the Manitoba landscape.”

Hood hopes that giving students the opportunity to help address an emerging industry need reinforces the program’s emphasis on hands-on, industry-relevant education, while allowing them to build skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Both students say the experience is helping to shape their future direction, while also contributing to solutions for challenges facing Manitoba’s pork industry.