Feral pig numbers are out of control

Farmers around the state are calling for more resources to combat a huge rise in the number of feral pigs which are destroying their properties and killing their stock.

The Cobar Weekly spoke with a number of landholders across the region and all report seeing dramatic increases in pig numbers.

“It seems to be a problem for everyone you talk to at the moment,” Cathy Francisco, from Carline Station north of Cobar, said.

“It’s definitely escalated and they’re much bigger and breeding very well.

“We’ll regularly see mum, dad and about eight little ones,” she said.

Cathy said they are currently lambing and, along with baby goats, the pigs are having a “feeding frenzy”.

In addition to dead carcasses, Cathy said there’s also plenty of evidence of where they’ve been digging, and also wallowing in the tanks which is making them muddy which is a nuisance for stock.

Cathy’s husband Glen regularly patrols the property shooting pigs each day and also goes out at night shooting.

Driving in and out of town, Cathy said she’s also seeing more pigs on the Kidman Way.

“It’s not always at night, we see them during the day which is a danger to travellers.

“There’s no baiting programs out our way.

“It definitely is becoming a real problem and something needs to be done about it.”

Belinda Blake, also north of Cobar, reports numbers have swelled on their property due to the wet conditions last year and the abundance of feed on the property.

“We estimate upwards of a 50 per cent reduction in lambs due to the impact of pigs, along with damage to pastures and wetlands,”