AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — One of the most destructive pests of crops in Alabama roam 365 days per year. Feral hogs will damage food plots and a myriad of other natural resources.
Alabama Feral Swine Control Program
The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee recently launched a three-year program to help farmers remove wild pigs from their property. The Alabama Feral Swine Control Program originated in the 2018 Farm Bill. It is funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Feral Swine Control Program is available in select portions of Alabama.
Mark Smith, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System wildlife specialist, said although wild pigs allow hunters an opportunity to harvest wild pork throughout the year, wild pigs cause tremendous damage.
“Wild pigs cause more than $55 million a year in agriculture damage in Alabama,” Smith said. “Other states such as Georgia, Tennessee and Louisiana report similar damage nearing about $100 million each year.”
The USDA program offers landowners two options: Landowners can receive assistance from USDA Wildlife Services to conduct wild pig removal operations and/or substantial rebates. Program participants can receive up to 70% off on purchases of high-tech trapping equipment. This equipment allows farmers to catch the pigs easier and remove them.
“Help is on the way for farmers whose land falls within the Feral Swine Control Program area,” Smith said. “Assistance like this doesn’t happen often. All eyes are on this program for the next couple of years to measure its success.”
More Information
To learn more about the Alabama Feral Swine Control Program, and if you qualify for assistance, visit the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation website. Contact Bence Carter or Mark Smith for more information and to find out how Extension can assist your operation.