CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Conservation District is hosting a Feral Swine Impacts, Management and Management Rebates program presentation, open to all landowners in Cullman County. The meeting will take place Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Camp Meadowbrook. Lunch will be provided and RSVPs are due by Jan. 11.
This program allows a portion of landowner’s out-of-pocket expenses to be reimbursed to them upon meeting a set of criteria for their method of feral swine management within their property boundaries.
Although feral swine are not an immediate problem for landowners and farmers in Cullman County, if the population is not managed, wild hogs can wreak havoc on a decently sized farm, demolishing crops and livelihoods in one fell swoop.
According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Wild pigs are an invasive species that drastically impacts native ecosystems. Wild pigs can quickly outcompete native wildlife through their high reproductive potential, lack of natural predators and effective forage capability. Landowners with wild pig populations should implement management strategies to mitigate the impacts these species can cause on their property.”
According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, when left to nature, a wild pig is estimated to begin reproducing around 6 months of age and give birth to four to six piglets with each litter. As the feral swine population grows and monopolizes the food sources of its native counterparts, the reproduction rate could quickly outpace the population growth of other non-invasive species that naturally reside in the area.
“Feral swine is a huge problem in south Alabama, west Alabama and some north Alabama. It hasn’t come into Cullman County a lot, but someone from a pig-controlling company told us, ‘Just because you don’t have the problem yet doesn’t mean you won’t.’” said Cullman County Conservation District Certified District Administrative Coordinator Kathy Holmes. “The great thing about this program is that it’s a rebated program where a portion of the funds will be returned to them if they meet these specifications.”
The Feral Swine Impacts, Management and Management Rebates program meeting will be on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Camp Meadowbrook, 2344 County Road 747. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. RSVP online by Jan 11 at https://forms.office.com/r/G94TVQGt3d, by email at cullman@alconservationdistricts.org or by calling Kathy Holmes at 256-734-1431.
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