Story by Oklahoma Pork's Matti Carlile

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Feral Swine Meeting in Fort Collins, Colorado. Participants were handpicked by NPPC to join at the National Wildlife Research Center to learn amongst other industry professionals. NPPC’s Director of Animal Health, Dr. Anna Forseth shared, “Feral swine pose a threat to domestic swine in multiple ways. This meeting was an opportunity for industry colleagues to learn more about the risks, but also about the great research and program work underway to support US pork producers.”

During the two days I was in Fort Collins, I learned about the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program. The goal of the program is to protect agricultural and natural resources, property, animal health, and human health and safety by managing the damage caused by feral swine across the United States and its Territories. This is one of the several programs that they focus on at the National Wildlife Research Center.

We also learned the response priorities if African Swine Fever (ASF) is ever detected in feral swine. These include protect domestic premises, contain the outbreak, then eliminate the outbreak. Not surprising to Oklahoma pork producers, with each of these come challenges.

Additionally, there were several interactive moments where we got to see the different types of technology in action. For example, Mark Lutman, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Management Specialist at USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, demonstrated the drones they are currently using to locate wildlife causing damage and hunt feral hogs. These drones cost thousands of dollars, but have several neat features including night vision and tracking. We also got to see traps they have used for hunting. The most interesting trap we saw was a “Pig Brig” trap. This is an easy to set up circular netting trap. Now you may be thinking boars will just tear the netting, but this trap features nearly indestructible netting boars can’t rip with their tusks. On average, they say that this type of trap can get about thirty hogs in it at a time.

If you want to learn more about the National Feral Swine Damage Program, click here.