By Marnie Ryan

Agricultural Researchers Ag Econ, commissioned by the Local Land Services have estimated feral pigs are costing farmers and growers near $50 million per year.

Ag Econ's recent study found that $47 million worth of damages were found from surveys conducted by community members of the north-western area of New South Wales.

The study includes a 12 month analysis focusing on the winter 2020 and Summer 2020/21 cropping periods and surveyed agronomists and land managers across the region.

Feral pigs are building in numbers, expanding across the cropping and livestock production areas of central and north western regions.

Senior Biosecurity Officer David Lindsay at New South Wales Local Land Services urges farmers to remain vigilant to the damages feral pigs can cause and recognise the detrimental impacts feral pigs have within our region.

The studies results indicated that high- value crops including chickpeas have experienced extensive damage from feral pigs. "Within mature- aged crops, pigs can knock down over 10 times more than what they eat" Mr Lindsay said.

Mr Lindsay expresses concern regarding the current abundant environment and its effects on sow ovulation and breeding patterns.

"Sows are now having large litters, at least twice per year, with most piglets surviving the early stages of life after birth", he said.

An aerial view of damage caused by pigs in cropping country. PHOTO Local Land Services.

Local Kangaroo & Pig Harvester Josh Forgione, has seen the destruction feral pigs have on farmers crops and property.

"I have lately been seeing feral pigs demolishing any bit of grain that farmers are storing or have newly sowed", Mr Forgione said.

An increase in feral pig population within the area is associated with the recent wet weather and increase in food growth & abundance within our district.

"I have also noticed that the feral pigs are travelling huge kilometres for grain despite the large amounts of food around", Mr Forgione said.

Mr Forgione has noticed a huge increase in feral pig numbers in the area he covers.

"I am finding feral pigs in nearly all areas within the Coonamble district" "I am seeing feral pigs where I have never seen them before" Mr Forgione said.

Costs to ag production increases in line with increasing numbers. PHOTO Local Land Services.

Ag Econ's recent study also discusses the impacts feral pigs have on graziers, in particular on sheep and lambs.

Feral pigs eat a large variety of foods and are classified as omnivores. Furthermore resulting in feral pigs consuming baby lambs and sometimes even average- sized sheep.

"Feral pigs crush the lamb's body, bones and skull, leaving nothing of the lamb as a result".

"Regionally lamb losses were estimated at just under $2 million worth", said Mr Lindsay.

Mr Lindsay warns that the eating behaviour of feral pigs may cause sheep farmers to not see the impacts of feral pigs until it is too late. "They leave almost nothing behind", he said.

Mr Lindsay suggests that controlling the feral pig population is not impossible, even within this abundant period.

"Effective programs and methods used to control feral pig population include 1080 bait program, aerial shootings and trapping". Mr Lindsay said.

He also suggests that land managers and neighbours should meet and discuss programs in order to cover a larger area and therefore see more effective results.