NEW BROCKTON, Ala. (WDHN) — With the growing season about to get underway, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System held a workshop at the Coffee County Farm Center on the problems caused by feral hogs and wild pigs.

Hogs are responsible for the loss of between 70 and 80 million dollars worth of crops annually in Alabama. Agriculture agents say the swine are basically eating and breeding machines with no natural predators.

At the session, area farmers were told that trapping is really the only effective method of
keeping the animals in check. The most recent congressionally approved agricultural bill has
funds to help combat feral swine.

For those interested in learning more about the Alabama Feral Swine Control Program, they should contact their closest Soil-Water Conservation office. That’s in addition to getting advice from your county extension agent.