Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville support feral hog eradication efforts in Alabama

Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville support feral swine eradication efforts in Alabama

July 4, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald J. Trump (R) signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which funded the President's policy objectives. The bill renewed, and in many cases made permanent the Trump tax cuts of 2017. It also funded President Trump's efforts to defend the U.S. Southern border and enhanced efforts to combat illegal immigration. Numerous other government programs and policies were funded by the landmark legislation, including feral swine eradication efforts – a policy championed by U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama).

Senator Katie Boyd Britt said on her X social media account: "Thrilled to see $105 million for the Feral Swine Eradication Program in the Big Beautiful Bill. Addressing the devastating economic and environmental impacts of feral swine is a top priority-I remain committed to supporting Alabama's incredible farmers."

"Feral swine are a serious threat to the livelihoods of Alabama's farmers. Feral hogs destroy crops, land, and undo months, if not years, of work by our farmers to feed our country," said Senator Tuberville. "Over the past five years, feral swine have impacted more than 173,000 acres in Alabama. Yet, the pigs are still running rampant throughout the South. And so today, I'm standing with Alabama farmers and taking action to fight back against this threat."

The legislation makes permanent a USDA program to help farmers and native wildlife by targeting the invasive pests.

Feral swine, known also as wild hogs or wild boars, have become an urgent issue across the southeastern United States. Nowhere is this challenge more pronounced than in Alabama, where the proliferation of these invasive animals threatens farmland, native wildlife, water quality, and even public safety. The need for comprehensive feral swine eradication in Alabama is pressing-an issue that demands both immediate attention and long-term strategic thinking.

The Rise of Feral Swine in Alabama

Feral swine were introduced to North America centuries ago by European explorers, either as a food source or through the accidental escape of domesticated pigs. Over time, these animals have adapted to wild conditions, reproducing rapidly and dispersing widely. Alabama's warm climate, abundant water sources, and diverse ecosystems have provided feral hogs with ideal conditions to thrive. Today, the state is among those most heavily impacted, with swine populations estimated in the hundreds of thousands.

Population Growth and Range Expansion

Feral swine are notorious for their prolific reproduction. Sows can breed as early as six months of age and can give birth to multiple litters per year, each averaging four to six piglets. Unlike most native species, their numbers can explode rapidly, enabling populations to double in size within months if left unchecked. In Alabama, feral swine have been confirmed in nearly every county, expanding their range from initial pockets of infestation to a problem of statewide scope.

Agricultural and Economic Impact

One of the most significant concerns surrounding feral swine is the dramatic economic damage they cause to Alabama's agriculture-a cornerstone of the state's economy. Each year, wild pigs inflict millions of dollars in losses on farmers due to crop destruction, pasture degradation, and damage to infrastructure.

Crop Destruction

Feral swine are indiscriminate feeders, rooting through fields of corn, peanuts, soybeans, cotton, and other staple crops. Their powerful snouts can till up acres of soil in a single night, destroying germinating seeds, damaging mature plants, and compacting soil, leading to reduced yields. In Alabama, where agriculture supports the livelihoods of tens of thousands of residents, these destructive habits pose a direct threat to rural economies.

Livestock and Fencing Damage

Beyond crops, wild pigs also disrupt livestock operations. They compete for food with cattle and other domestic animals, contaminate water sources, and can damage fences and other infrastructure. The cost of repairing fencing, replanting fields, and taking extra measures for biosecurity adds to the economic burden on Alabama's farmers.

Spread of Disease

Perhaps more insidious is the risk of disease transmission. Feral swine harbor a host of pathogens, including brucellosis, pseudorabies, and leptospirosis, all of which threaten livestock, wildlife, and, in some cases, humans. The presence of these diseases can lead to quarantine restrictions and lost markets-effects that reverberate far beyond the farm gate.

Environmental Degradation

Alabama boasts a rich natural heritage, with diverse plant and animal communities. Feral swine threaten this biodiversity through their destructive habits.

Habitat Destruction

Rooting and wallowing by feral swine degrade native habitats, disrupt sensitive ecosystems, and contribute to soil erosion. Wetlands-critical for flood mitigation and as nurseries for fish and amphibians-are particularly vulnerable. Trampled vegetation, increased sediment in waterways, and altered plant composition can have cascading effects on native wildlife.

Competition with Native Species

Feral swine are omnivorous and opportunistic, preying on ground-nesting birds, amphibians, reptiles, and even small mammals. Their presence in Alabama's forests and fields displaces native species and reduces biodiversity. Rare and threatened plants, such as those found in Alabama's longleaf pine savannas, are also at risk from the foraging habits of wild pigs.

Water Quality Concerns

By wallowing in streams and wetlands, feral swine increase siltation and nutrient runoff, leading to degraded water quality. This poses risks not only to aquatic habitats but also to communities that rely on these water sources for drinking, recreation, and irrigation.

Public Safety and Human Health Risks

The dangers posed by feral swine extend beyond the agricultural and environmental spheres-they are also a growing concern for public safety.

Vehicle Collisions

Wild hogs are large, powerful animals that often cross roads in search of food and new territory. Collisions between vehicles and feral swine can cause severe damage to cars and serious injuries to drivers and passengers. With expanding populations, such incidents have become more common in Alabama.

Direct Human Health Threats

In addition to transmitting diseases to livestock, feral swine can also infect humans directly. Pathogens such as trichinella, toxoplasma, and hepatitis E can be transmitted through direct contact with swine, contaminated water, or improperly cooked meat. Hunters, farmers, and others who encounter feral swine are at particular risk.

The Challenge of Eradication

Despite widespread recognition of the problem, eradicating feral swine in Alabama is a formidable task. Their intelligence, adaptability, and reproductive capacity make traditional control methods-such as hunting or trapping-insufficient on their own.

Current Control Measures

A range of strategies is currently employed in Alabama, including trapping, sharpshooting, and the use of dogs. While these methods can reduce local populations, eradication requires coordinated, landscape-scale efforts that are sustained over time.

Barriers to Success

Several factors hinder eradication efforts:

• Private Land Ownership: Much of Alabama's land is privately owned, complicating access and coordination among stakeholders.

• Legal and Regulatory Challenges: Regulations regarding hunting seasons, the use of certain traps, and animal relocation can limit the effectiveness of some control measures.

• Public Awareness and Engagement: Some landowners may be unaware of the extent of the problem or hesitant to participate in collaborative eradication programs.

The Path Forward: Why Eradication Is Necessary

Given the scale and severity of the problem, containment is no longer sufficient in Alabama. The long-term solution must be complete eradication across the state-a goal that will require unprecedented cooperation among landowners, government agencies, and local communities.

Benefits of Eradication

• Restored Agricultural Productivity: Without the constant threat of crop and pasture destruction, Alabama's farmers can recover economically, reinvesting in their operations and stabilizing rural communities.

• Protection of Native Biodiversity: Eradication would allow native species and habitats to rebound, supporting ecosystem health and resilience.

• Improved Water Quality: Reducing rooting and wallowing in wetlands would help safeguard Alabama's water resources for future generations.

• Reduced Disease Risk: Lowering feral swine numbers would lessen the chances of disease transmission to livestock, wildlife, and humans.

• Enhanced Public Safety: Fewer swine on the landscape means fewer vehicle collisions and less risk to hunters, hikers, and rural residents.

Implementing a Comprehensive Strategy

Eradication is achievable but requires a multifaceted approach:

• Education and Outreach: Raising awareness among landowners about the risks and responsibilities associated with feral swine management.

• Cooperative Efforts: Creating partnerships between state agencies, federal programs, private landowners, and non-governmental organizations to align goals and share resources.

• Investment in Research: Supporting research into new control technologies, such as species-specific toxicants, improved trapping systems, and advanced monitoring techniques.

• Policy Reform: Updating regulations to streamline eradication efforts and eliminate bureaucratic obstacles.

Conclusion

Feral swine represent one of the most significant invasive species challenges facing Alabama in the 21st century. Their continued presence threatens not only agriculture and the environment but also the health and safety of every resident. Eradication may seem daunting, but the cost of inaction is far greater. Through collaboration, innovation, and steadfast resolve, Alabama can reclaim its fields, forests, and waterways from the grips of this destructive invader-securing a more prosperous, sustainable future for all.