New $150 Million Fund Targets Feral Swine Damage, Offering Farmers Up to 75% Cost Coverage Starting in 2026

This legislation establishes a new Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program, inserting a dedicated federal effort into the existing Food Security Act of 1985. Simply put, the government is setting aside serious money and resources to fight the wild pig problem that’s been tearing up farmland and natural areas across the country. This program mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to study the full extent of the damage, develop comprehensive plans to wipe out or control the populations, and crucially, help farmers clean up the mess.

The Pig Problem Gets Federal Funding

Starting in fiscal year 2026 and running through 2030, this fight gets a $150 million dedicated budget. That’s a significant chunk of change earmarked specifically for this issue. The money is split between two key federal agencies: 40% goes to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help producers on the ground with things like trapping and new capture tech. The remaining 60% goes to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to focus on population reduction methods. The good news for taxpayers is that the bill caps administrative costs at a lean 10%, meaning most of the money should go directly to the fight itself.

What This Means for Farmers and Landowners

If you’re a farmer struggling with feral swine damage—which can run into the thousands very quickly—this bill offers a lifeline. The Secretary can provide financial assistance for control measures or to repair land damaged by these animals. However, there’s a catch: the federal government will only cover up to 75% of the total cost. The remaining 25% is the non-federal share, which is flexible. You can cover that 25% with cash, or you can use “in-kind contributions,” meaning the value of your own labor, materials, or equipment used in the effort can count toward your share. This is a big win for small operations, as it lowers the barrier to entry for expensive control and restoration projects.

Policy Meets the Classroom

One interesting mandate is the requirement for the NRCS and APHIS to partner with land-grant colleges and universities. They won't just hire anyone, though; the bill specifies that eligible universities must already have a system for tracking swine damage and must maintain a state-funded, non-federal Wildlife Services program that works closely with APHIS. This setup aims to bring academic research and proven tracking methods into the federal effort, helping to identify “threatened areas” and develop better ways to deal with the problem. It’s a smart way to ensure the $150 million is spent on the most effective, research-backed solutions.

Clearing the Books

Finally, this legislation is cleaning up some old code by repealing Section 2408 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. If you were involved in any program or funding stream related to that specific section, you’ll want to pay attention, as that part of the law is officially being removed to make way for this new, broader program.