Feral hogs wreaking havoc on Georgia’s rural communities

According to surveys by the University of Georgia in 2015, feral hogs caused approximately $100 million in agricultural damage just in that state. They continue to be a costly problem for rural communities across the state, reports Damon Jones of Georgia Farm Monitor.

Feral hogs are a problem in many rural communities. The USDA Wildlife Services has organized a workshop in Georgia to help landowners in the area address the issue.

According to Georgia Farm Monitor, while feral swine might not have the same notoriety as some of the other invasive species in Georgia, few have reeked more havoc over the past decade — and that damage isn’t just limited to the economy, as they also put a massive strain on the environment.

“So, according to some surveys done by the University of Georgia in 2015, feral swine are responsible for approximately $100 million in just agricultural damage — and that’s in Georgia alone,” says Matt Ondovchik, the state’s feral swine coordinator.

Related Stories
Cattle and hog supplies continue to tighten while dairy output expands, creating a split outlook in which red-meat prices soften and milk values come under pressure from larger supplies.
National Pork Board Chief Sustainability Officer Jamie Burr shares a closer look at the Pork Checkoff’s Pork Cares Farm Impact Report, a research program to increase trust in the pork supply chain.
While agriculture doesn’t predict every recession, the sector’s long history of turning down before the broader economy
USMEF’s Jay Theiler discusses his leadership role in representing U.S. beef and pork and provides an update on this week’s conference in Indianapolis.
Manure from a hog farm is more than just waste; it is also becoming a key renewable resource for operations.
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom shares how recent trade talks are influencing U.S. red meat global sales and the importance of key trade agreements like the USMCA.
Lucia Ruano, USMEF’s Central America representative, discusses what is driving demand for U.S. beef and pork in the region.
Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) interval selection—not just participation—drives protection levels as rainfall patterns become less predictable across the South.
A smaller U.S. turkey flock and resurgent avian flu have tightened supplies, driving prices higher even as other key holiday foods show mixed trends.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us to break down the recent Fifth Circuit Court decision overturning a prior Tax Court decision on self-employment tax for limited partners, the ruling’s impact on farmers, and potential next steps in Congress.
Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Director Ryan Norris talks energy infrastructure, regulatory reform, and the role of critical minerals in supporting rural America.
Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship recipient Elizabeth Dice discusses her award, her background in farming, and her path forward in the agriculture industry.
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses supply chain challenges facing agriculture as snow, sleet and ice threaten most of the Eastern U.S.
Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska joined us with the latest on efforts to secure year-round E15 sales.
Nearly everyone in the South Texas ag community appears extremely worried about the potential of a New World screwworm epidemic, according to a local veterinarian. RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports.