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02-20-2017 10:50 AM |
Texas Ag Commissioner Approves Poison for Feral Hogs
Texas Ag Commissioner Approves Poison for Feral Hogs
Staff report 3:00 p.m. CT Feb. 17, 2017
Quote:
Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Tuesday will announce approval of a new weapon in the ongoing war against feral hogs in Texas.
Miller has approved a rule change in the Texas Administrative Code that classifies a new warfarin-based product as a state-limited-use pesticide for control of feral hogs. State-limited-use pesticides may only be bought and used by a licensed applicator or someone under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator. The pesticide, “Kaput Feral Hog Lure,” is the first toxicant to be listed specifically for use in controlling the feral hog population.
“Wild hogs have caused extensive damage to Texas lands and loss of income for many, many years,” Miller said in a news release. “I am pleased to announce that the ‘feral hog apocalypse' may be within Texans’ reach with the introduction of Kaput’s hog lure.”
Introducing warfarin as the first pesticide available to control the feral hog population is significant because it gives agriculture producers and landowners in Texas a new weapon in the fight against feral hogs with minimal risk to other animals. According to experts familiar with the issue, warfarin is a logical choice for hog toxicant, because it is effective in swine but requires much higher dosage levels to potentially affect other wildlife populations or livestock. The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service is supportive of the rule change and the use of warfarin for feral hog population control.
Miller has informed the Legislature that $900,000 in TDA’s budget previously earmarked for feral hog control research will no longer be necessary as a result of this rule change and has asked that the appropriation be removed from the current TDA budget pending before the Legislature.
The manufacturer of the product, Scimetrics Ltd. Corp., has been manufacturing rodent management products for 15 years. Extensive testing of warfarin has been conducted in Texas since 2008. The approval of warfarin for feral hog control is the culmination of several years of research in partnership with Scimetrics and TDA. A representative from Scimetrics will also be on hand to take questions regarding the product.
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