The influence of pasture distribution, and temperature on adult body weight of feral pigs in a semi-arid environment

Abstract

The influence of high temperature and the distribution and abundance of pasture on variation in adult body weight of feral pigs was examined at Nocoleche Nature Reserve, semi-arid New South Wales, over the course of a drought. The influence of the pig's sex, and the mean maximum environmental temperature and pasture biomass on the adult pig's body weight, were examined. There was no significant difference between the sexes with respect to adult body weight, with the mean adult body weight being 37.5 kg for both sexes. Adult body weight was negatively correlated with mean maximum temperature and positively correlated with pasture biomass in woodlands. The conclusion from this study is that body weight increased over the course of the study as the drought eased but showed definite seasonal increases during winter when temperatures were lowest.