Gene editing could help solve Canada’s invasive wild pig problem. Researchers at the University of Guelph suggest deliberate genetic change could produce sterile offspring in the species, who is infamous for environmental and agricultural damage.
Tag Archives Invasive species
FEATURE STORY: Can we breed wild pigs to extinction?
Gene-edited wild pigs could lead the invasive species into a reproductive dead end, research proposes
Where the wild pigs roam
German wild pig study shows how far they travel and the lengths they go to keep moving
Glacier FarmMedia – Their names are Rudiger, Dietmar and Cindy, and they have a lot to teach about wild pig movement patterns. The three eastern German wild boar were tracked far from where they were first spotted and tagged. None were fazed by natural barriers that would put off other animals. Dietmar, for example, tended
Wild pig control gains momentum on the Prairies
Eradication efforts face obstacles, and experts disagree over the extent of the problem, but progress has been made
Glacier FarmMedia – Canadian wild pigs are furtive and rugged, and its uncertain how many of them roam across Western Canada. Understanding and eradicating them is now a nation-wide crusade, the first Canadian Wild Pig Summit revealed. The multi-day event was held in Brandon April 22-24. Why it matters: Invasive wild pigs are noted for
Hog-wild: beware the wild pigs
Wild pigs continue to be an invasive species threat in Manitoba
Wild pigs are defined as any pig living outside the control of people, including Eurasian wild boar and their hybrids and feral domestic pigs now living in the wild. The biggest threat, however, is posed by Eurasian wild boar, which have adapted to our climate and have become a destructive invasive species. They have been
A year of growth for Squeal on Pigs
Wild pig awareness and control project counts victories and challenges in 2023
Manitoba’s Squeal on Pigs campaign has gained traction every year, and 2023 was no exception. The past year brought program expansion, according to a recent update summarizing the initiative’s activities. Why it matters: Squeal on Pigs is reducing Manitoba’s wild pig problem and raising awareness of the invasive species. Last summer, Squeal on Pigs Manitoba
Garden seeds lead to problem weeds
Problem weeds may be lurking in that garden catalogue
Manitoba rancher Herman Bouw was casually perusing a gardening seed catalogue when a particular ornamental grass item caught his eye. The plant was listed as “squirrel tail grass,” but Bouw thought it looked awfully similar to a species with a more cursed name on the Prairies. A comparison of scientific names confirmed his suspicion. The catalogue was
The problem with pigweeds
Differentiating different species, including major threats like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, can be challenging
Scouting for waterhemp is difficult but critical, Manitoba Agriculture weed specialist Kim Brown told producers during her presentation at St. Jean Farm Days Jan. 10. “You’re going to hear a lot about this in the next few years because this is just going to become a bigger and bigger problem, but I really believe we can get out
Flexibility touted for wild pig fight
Manitoba’s industry-led efforts say minimal government involvement is an advantage
Glacier FarmMedia – Manitoba’s wild pig busters have moved fast to find, trap and destroy the invasive species since their Squeal on Pigs initiative was set up a few years ago. The aim is to eliminate Manitoba’s wild pig problem. They have a lot of work ahead. “It’ll probably take most of a decade,” said
Forum to fight aquatic invasive species
The advisory group is the latest in Manitoba’s AIS measures
The Government of Manitoba is hoping that a multi-stakeholder advisory group will help hold the line on water-based invasive species. The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Advisory Forum was announced June 26 to “ensure a regionally diverse range of perspectives are incorporated into prevention and containment activities,” according to a government release. The forum will be
Public got busy squealing on pigs
Wild pig sightings went up as awareness grew, industry group says
The public has proven to be pretty good at squealing on pigs, shown by a reported increase in invasive wild hogs spotted and killed in the last year. “The more folks we have working on it, the greater success we will have,” said Jenelle Hamblin, manager of swine health at the Manitoba Pork Council. At
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