Controlling wild pigs can work if it’s a group effort
Teaming groups of private landowners with federal efforts yielded measurable success, at least in terms of defending cornfields.
Feral swine, also known as wild pigs, roam in 35 U.S. states, creating a multi-billion-dollar problem. These invasive animals cause significant damage to crops, spread diseases to livestock, and harm agricultural infrastructure, parks, and wildlife habitats. Feral hogs reproduce rapidly, with breeding occurring year-round and up to four piglets per litter.
The economic impact of their activities is estimated between $2.5 billion and $3.4 billion annually, with crops suffering roughly $800 million in damage. Controlling this issue is challenging since feral hogs inhabit large areas of privately owned land, and neighbors may not collaborate without collective effort.
In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress approved $75 million to encourage joint efforts among private landowners to combat feral hog populations. The program targeted 10 states with significant hog infestations and funded landowners' purchases of trapping equipment and restoration of damaged land. Initially set to conclude in 2023, the program received an additional $105 million in funding through 2029 due to a July 2025 budget and immigration package.
As of September 21, 2026, the government is accepting grant applications for the initial $35 million allocation from this fund.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Tennessee and the University of Arkansas evaluated the program's effectiveness by comparing crop insurance claims data. They found that crop damage from feral hogs decreased significantly in counties where the program was active, from an average of 70 acres per policy to just 10 acres.
The reduction was specifically observed in cornfields, which are considered the crop most commonly damaged by feral swine. However, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and peanuts showed no difference in damage between counties with and without active hog control efforts. The limited effectiveness of the program may be due to its timing during the COVID-19 pandemic and its pilot nature, which could have discouraged landowner participation.
Additionally, the study suggests that more precise focus on corn-producing counties and increased outreach could enhance the program's impact. Overall, the research indicates that a well-coordinated, multi-landowner approach to feral hog control can be successful and offers recommendations for future improvements.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
