U.S. USD Provides $51.9 Million for Wild Boar Control and Management

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing a total of $51.9 million to 29 cooperative projects in 13 states to reduce agricultural damage caused by wild boars and protect the health of livestock and people.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Department of Agriculture announced this support plan on November 3. This support is part of the $105 million ‘Wild Boar Eradication and Management Pilot Project,’ which is being jointly implemented by the NRCS and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

The beneficiaries are 13 states, including Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, California, and Florida. Selected partner organizations support capture on farms and the restoration of damaged land, and educate landowners on capture techniques and management methods. Each project is conducted in coordination with local partner organizations, the NRCS, and the APHIS.

In Texas, three projects are being implemented across nine counties. The goal is to have approximately 200 producers directly participate over five years and achieve management effects on about one million acres of agricultural land. The plan is to establish a foundation that enables local landowners, equipped with training and equipment, to continuously manage populations.

Alabama is undertaking population reduction and damage recovery on at least 100,000 acres through four projects in nine counties. Louisiana is strengthening surveillance and capture systems and field training, and expanding damage assessment and joint removal activities across 16.6 million acres in 27 administrative districts.

The NRCS explained that wild boars can have an adverse effect not only on farmland but also on animal and plant habitats, soil, and water quality, and pose a risk of transmitting diseases to livestock and humans. The funding for this project was provided through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

Meanwhile, since 2020, the NRCS has invested $92.9 million in 63 projects under the pilot program. Through this, it has supported more than 6,700 landowners across approximately 9 million acres and conducted more than 800 training events on capture techniques.