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MDC ups feral hog efforts amid cattle farmers’ concern

The Missouri Department of Conservation is ramping up its efforts to eliminate feral hogs in 2020.

MDC’s Jason Jenson tells Brownfield Ag News, the department is bringing in extra staff to increase trapping efforts, “Right now, we’ve got staff that are being trained that will actually be deployed to increase this effort.”

Jeff Reed with Rolling Shoals Farm in Williamsville (southern Missouri) told Brownfield at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention that feral hogs have caused a lot of damage to his cow-calf operation, “We can document $40-to-$50-Thousand in losses each year to the feral hog.” Reed expressed frustration over the conservation department’s response.

Jenson tells, as part of the department’s two-pronged strategy, landowners can seek assistance in trapping hogs on their land, “If you encounter feral hogs on your property, feel free to contact the (Missouri) Department of Conservation. We’d be happy to coordinate either one of the department staff or USDA Wildlife Services staff, get them out there on your property, take a look at it and assist you with trapping and eliminating those hogs.”

He says eradicating the animals will take time but that is the goal.