Feral pigs cause $3.4bn in yearly US damage; 13 states receive $51.9m to combat the threat

Feral pigs have become a costly problem across the United States, damaging agricultural land, destroying natural habitats and threatening livestock and human health. Their habit of digging through soil in search of food can ruin crops, disturb vegetation and damage water resources, leaving farmers and landowners with expensive restoration work.

The animals also carry diseases that can spread to livestock and people, adding to the challenges of controlling their growing populations.The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on November 3, 2026, that it had awarded $51.9 million to 29 partnership projects across 13 states to combat the invasive animals. According to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the funding will support coordinated trapping, removal, land restoration and training for landowners.