Feral hogs - A big problem on many farms

By Daniel Munch, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation

Washington, DC -- As Congress advances reconciliation negotiations, several conservation and animal health programs remain in limbo -- including feral swine management initiatives left out of the most recent farm bill extension. At the same time, updated data from the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program (NFSDMP) and the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) offers the most comprehensive economic assessment of the significant costs feral hogs impose on U.S. crop and livestock production.

Managing feral hog populations is time-intensive, costly and often falls squarely on the shoulders of farmers and ranchers. Image credit - USDA & American Farm Bureau

This Market Intel highlights findings from the most comprehensive research to date on feral hog damage, which these new estimates put at over $1.6 billion in annual agricultural losses across just 13 states -- covering impacts to livestock, pastureland and six major crops. These updated figures extend far beyond traditional crop losses, capturing broader economic consequences such as land-use changes, infrastructure damage and control costs.

Image credit - USDA & American Farm Bureau

Together, the findings provide timely context for evaluating the scope of the invasive swine problem and underscore the value of coordinated eradication programs like the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Project, which has shown measurable success but currently remains unfunded.

Read the entire report here>>