There are many threats to the future of agriculture in Mississippi. One threat that most can agree on is wild hogs.

Mississippi State University (MSU) wants to determine the economic impact of wild hog damage to agriculture in Mississippi. This research study has the support of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Farm Bureau, Farm Service Agency, Delta Wildlife and many others.

The information from this study will benefit farmers, foresters, and other agricultural producers by shedding light on the true extent of the damage done to your land, crops, equipment and ultimately, your bottom line.

Armed with this data, researchers and industry representatives can approach state and federal legislators for increased funding and enhanced enforcement of laws to help eradicate wild hogs in Mississippi.

But in order to do make this happen successfully, farmer/forester cooperation is essential.

Over the next few months, you may be contacted -- via letter and/or phone -- by Extension researchers from MSU. These researchers need to interview farmers around the state about how wild hog damage is affecting their operations.

They will also conduct field surveys on a select number of farmers’ properties to determine the physical extent of wild hog damage and identify surrounding landscape features that may promote or hinder wild hog access to fields. In the long run, this will help lawmakers, land managers and agricultural producers develop tools to accurately evaluate wild hog damage and mitigate losses through better management practices.

Agriculture is the life blood of Mississippi, and Mississippi farmers and foresters are leaders of agricultural production in the South. Please consider participating in this very important study.

The principal investigators for this study are Bronson Strickland and Jessica Tegt, wildlife Extension professors at MSU. If you have any questions regarding the study, please contact Marina Denny with the MSU Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at (662) 325-4722 or e-mail [email protected].