YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Prolific wild pigs pose persistent problem 

By Gene Hall

It’s time to stop the “swine of mass destruction.”

Wild hogs are a big problem in Texas. They root up pastures and fields, causing damage to equipment and risking injury to operators. They dig up planted crops—a farmer’s livelihood. Lawns, golf courses and city parks aren’t immune. Wild hogs can even cause traffic accidents. They’ve been known to attack newborn livestock and even people.

The annual damage to Texas land and agriculture each year is a whopping $52 million.

Hunting, trapping and both federal and state control programs aren’t working.

A new product will be available May 1 to help control the problem. Kaput Feral Hog Lure, a warfarin-based compound, is the first toxicant to be listed specifically for the management of wild hog populations. EPA says it’s safe.

We need it to help our state’s farmers and ranchers to keep our water clean from the diseases they carry and to keep them off our roadways.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

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