Broad General Overview

The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) was established by the 2018 Farm Bill to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. USDA is focusing efforts through this pilot where feral swine pose the highest threat.

Program at a Glance

FSCP is implemented jointly by NRCS and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS).  Total funding for the program is $75 million over the life of the 2018 Farm Bill. In the first round of funding, NRCS obligated more than $16.7 million for 20 feral swine pilot projects in ten states. APHIS and NRCS limited the first round of pilot projects to select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Round 1 projects are currently ongoing and are a collaborative effort between APHIS, NRCS, and the selected partners. A second round of funding and projects have been selected. Projects to be included in round 2 of funding can be found in the below table and are expected to work in Alabama, Hawaii, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.

Pilot projects will consist broadly of three coordinated components: 1) feral swine removal by APHIS; 2) restoration efforts supported by NRCS; and 3) assistance to producers for feral swine control provided through grants with non-federal partners. 

Projects can last for one to three years and are expected to conclude September 30, 2023. This year, NRCS will invest up to $1.5 million per project and NRCS will provide up to 75 percent of the total project costs, with the remaining 25% of costs coming from match committed by the partner.

Monitoring and evaluation will be essential to measuring the success of the pilot projects and the program. This program aims to collect a comprehensive understanding of the extent and nature of damages related to feral swine experienced by landowners in project areas. To accomplish this, detailed data are to be collected on (1) crops, (2) livestock, (3) property (e.g. fences, implements, roads), (4) crop conversion due to damage, (5) surface damages to land, (6) stored commodities. We also capture landowners’ personal efforts at feral swine damage management by (1) personal damage management, (2) support from Wildlife Services, (3) any revenues derived from feral swine or wildlife, and (4) operational increases (e.g. checking and repairing fences) due to feral swine presence and damage on their property. All projects will collect damage assessment data, but may also collect additional information based on resource concerns of the area. For additional information, visit the Landowner Damage Assessment Survey page.

Who is Eligible

The activities of FSCP​ are to be conducted in pilot areas where feral swine have been identified as a threat, as determined by the Secretary. The full list of proposed projects can be found in the below table under “Round 2”.

A total of 20 pilot projects across 10 states were identified for the first round of funding. Fourteen pilot projects in 8 states have been selected in the second round of funding and are expected to begin in 2021. Additional information about the pilot projects, including maps, project specifics, expected partner roles, and contacts for APHIS and NRCS at the state level, can be found in the below table.  Download a printer-friendly map (PDF,

Louisiana Feral Swine Control Pilot Project

Project Area

The Louisiana Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (LA FSCP project area consists of three pilot control areas that total approximately six million acres (see attached map).  Approximately 85 percent of those acres consist of privately-owned land with 38 percent in forest land, 30 percent in crop and livestock production, and 17 percent classified as other on forestry inventory tables, which includes marsh, coastal prairie, and range.  The remaining 15 percent of the LA project area is equally divided into publicly-owned forest land and publicly-owned marsh, prairie, and range primarily as Wildlife Management Areas.

Pilot Area #1 includes Red River, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, and Rapides Parishes and consists of 2.9 million acres of private land and 533,000 acres of public land.  Private land use is divided into approximately 2.1 million acres of forest land, 613,000 acres of crop and livestock production, and 211,000 acres classified as other.

Pilot Area #2 includes Madison, Tensas, and Concordia Parishes and consists of approximately 1.1 million acres of private land and 194,000 acres of public land.  Private land use is divided into approximately 738,000 acres of crop and livestock production, 192,000 acres of forest land, and 182,000 acres classified as other. 

Pilot Area #3 includes Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes and consists of 1.5 million acres of private land and 251,000 acres of public land.  Private land use is divided into approximately 542,000 acres of crop and livestock production, 227,000 acres of forest land, and 733,000 acres of marsh, coastal prairie, and areas classified as other.

The project area crosses at least 15 watersheds based on the 12 Digit HUC classification.  There are portions of nine scenic waterways in the proposed project area that were established for preserving, protecting, reclaiming, and enhancing the wilderness qualities, scenic beauty, and ecological regimes of these free-flowing LA streams.

Monitoring/Evaluation Requirements of Partner

Due to the new nature of the pilot program, it will be crucial to collect, monitor, and evaluate data regarding feral swine populations, agricultural damage, and environmental concerns. For this project, partners are expected to:

• Conduct initial monitoring and surveys to assess a baseline of damage caused by feral swine to serve as a baseline for evaluation of progress
• Monitor via field visits, trail cameras, drone, and communication with landowners
• The survey will be administered to landowners in the Pilot Areas
• Monitoring of feral swine high use areas
• Conducting pre-baiting activities as needed
• After trapping, monitoring will determine if feral swine are still using an area
• Agriculture crops damage/yields will be part of the before and after survey information and will be monitored in the project areas following control efforts to determine success

Gulf Coast SWCD’s Program

Currently the district has a hybrid technician hired to assist both this hog eradication program and the revegetation program. He has the following equipment to assist Calcasieu and Cameron cooperators with hog issues:

• 8 HoggBoss Cellular Activated Drop Gates
• 8 Custom made 8 Panel Corrals
• 2 PigBrigg Net Corrals
• 4 Live-feed Cameras
• In the near future the district may also be purchasing and implementing hog collaring research systems (Judas Pig Survey Program)

If you have any questions regarding this program or any other programs offered by Gulf Coast SWCD or the NRCS please do not hesitate to contact us: Contact Us