North Dakotans urged to report pig sightings after farmer attacked

Apr 17, 2023

A feral pig that was recently reported in Nelson County, North Dakota has been determined to be a stray domestic pig after being examined by authorities. Ryan Powers, with USDA Wildlife Services, examined the carcass and made the determination. The pig was destroyed after it reportedly charged a farmer in his yard.

"If you encounter a pig at large, do not attempt to capture or engage with the animal," State Veterinarian Ethan Andress said. "If approached, they can be dangerous. They have poor eyesight and can respond unpredictably."

Though this pig was likely an escaped domestic pig, feral swine have occasionally been reported in the state in the past and have recently been reported in neighboring states.

"Feral swine are a growing concern in many parts of the country, not only to public safety, but also due to their ability to spread disease and cause damage to crops and property," Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said.

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Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.