Odour emissions during manure spreading events have become a source of concern, particularly where farms are located nearby urban areas. The objective of the present study was to compare odour concentrations and odour emission rates due to pig manure application using two different types of applicators, a subsurface deposition system and a conventional splash-plate applicator. Air samples were collected using a Surface Isolation Flux Chamber and the ‘bag-in-vacuum chamber’ techniques, at 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 h after manure application. A three-station forced-choice dynamic dilution olfactometer was used by an odour panel for determining odour concentration. Preliminary results indicated that with the subsurface deposition system applicator odour emission rate was reduced by 8 to 38% compared to that of the conventional splash-plate applicator. The highest reduction in odour strength and odour emission rate was observed in the most offensive period after manure application. The subsurface deposition system may be a solution for hog producers who wish to reduce odour complaints from applying manure without the cost and problems associated with deep injection systems.