Laurent SCHLEY

Research associate of the

Research > Damage to Maize Crops

The aim of this project was to investigate the damage to agricultural crops, and in particular maize, by the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) and the wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.

Introduction and Methodology

In Europe, two species often mentioned with regard to crop damage are the wild boar and the badger, which damage a wide range of agricultural crops, especially maize (Zea mays). In Luxembourg, maize is grown all over the country and represents an economically important crop. In view of this, and considering a recent increase in both badger and wild boar populations in Luxembourg, the objective of this study was to assess the occurrence and severity of damage by these species to maize. We used a questionnaire survey of all 2342 farmers, 61 foresters and 608 tenants of hunting areas («hunters» hereafter) of Luxembourg.

Results

The reply rates were 39% for farmers, 92% for foresters and 72 % for hunters. Farmers, foresters and hunters all indicated that wild boar are a nuisance during the maize sowing season as well as in summer and autumn, whereas badgers mainly cause damage in summer and autumn. All three groups indicated that the incidence of wild boar damage to maize crops is significantly higher than that of badger damage, and that the severity of wild boar damage is significantly higher than that of badger damage.

Discussion

Farmers, foresters and hunters all indicated that both species are widely distributed in Luxembourg, confirming previous findings. As regards damage, the damage by both species in summer and autumn consists of flattening of maize plants and consumption of cobs. In spring, wild boar also consume freshly sown maize grains. In terms of incidence of damage, farmers and hunters agreed overall on regional differences, especially on that in the South-west of Luxembourg, wild boar damage is less of a problem than elsewhere.

It seems that hunters perceive badger damage as more severe, and wild boar damage as less severe, than do farmers or foresters. This discrepancy may be because in the case of wild boar damage, the hunter himself has to pay 30% of the compensation payments to the farmer. Compensation for badger damage is paid entirely by the State, due to the status of the badger as a protected species. This may lead to some hunters underestimating wild boar damage, and consequently overestimating badger damage.

Conclusion

Both the badger and the wild boar are widely distributed in Luxembourg. Both species cause damage to maizefields in summer and autumn. Wild boar damage occurs more frequently and seems to be more severe. Wild boar also cause damage in spring. Therefore, in Luxembourg, wild boar damage to maize appears to be a much bigger problem than badger damage.

Sponsors

Administration des Eaux et Forêts, Luxembourg, Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture, Lux., Institut Viti-Vinicole, Lux., Ministère de l'Education Nationale, Lux. (main sponsor), Ministère de l'Environnement, Lux., Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle, Lux., University of Sussex, United Kingdom.