New research into feral pigs could be a "game changer" in the management of the invasive pest species.

Key points: New research into feral pigs has revealed that contrary to many stories, they don't travel far for food and water

New research into feral pigs has revealed that contrary to many stories, they don't travel far for food and water Researchers hope the findings will encourage more effective aerial shooting, trapping and poisoning

Researchers hope the findings will encourage more effective aerial shooting, trapping and poisoning The data also shows high numbers of pigs infected with serious diseases capable of crossing to humans

Satellite tracking collars attached to pigs in Queensland and New South Wales have revealed surprising evidence about how far they travel.

Darren Marshall is conducting the research as part of a PhD study for the University of New England in New South Wales and Penn State University in the United States.

Data collected on 120 pigs over two years revealed they don't travel far for food and water.

"You always hear stories about pigs living in the national park and travelling 30 to 40 kilometres a night to come and smash a crop and then travelling back," Mr Marshall said.

The project began in four locations across Queensland and New South Wales including Moree, where these feral pigs were captured. ( ABC Landline: Sean Murphy )

"We're just not seeing that.

"If a pig has food, water and shelter, we're not seeing pigs move very far at all."

Mr Marshall's study is leading a science-backed community pig control program.

The project began in Moree and Glen Innes in New South Wales and Miles and the Arcadia Valley in Queensland two years ago.

The initial findings are being used to encourage landholders in nine regions to step up control measures such as aerial shooting, trapping and poisoning.

A breakthrough in pest management

"The big problem out here is to some people and some enterprises feral pigs are a massive issue, people are taking devastating agricultural losses to all of their crops like cotton, sorghum, wheat," Mr Marshall said.

"But then we have other enterprises that the pigs don't really have an impact on, so because they don't have that impact those landholders aren't as motivated to take as much action."

Agronomist and contract pig shooter Tony Lockrey is hopeful the new research will have a big impact. ( ABC Landline: Sean Murphy )

Moree-based agronomist Tony Lockrey, who is also a contract aerial shooter, believes the new research could be a game changer for the management of feral pigs.

He has shot about 4,000 pigs a year and said pigs are making some farms unviable because of their impact on crops.

"This is probably one of the best data sets in the world," he said.

"It's fantastic for us to be able to see and use, as people trying to manage this pest.

"To be able to see where the home range of different pigs are and to be able to target them where they are resting, where they are feeding, where they are getting to water, it's giving us a better insight into how to manage them and whether our current management is worthwhile or effective."

New threats from African swine fever

The research has also revealed a disturbing number of pigs infected with serious diseases such as leptospirosis and brucellosis, which could be transmitted to cattle and humans.

Mr Marshall said a quarter of the pigs tested had leptospirosis and 4 to 5 per cent had brucellosis.

This was particularly alarming with the threat of African swine fever reaching Australia.

Researcher Darren Marshall attaches a satellite tracking collar to a pig. ( ABC Landline: Sean Murphy )

"It's massive, it's spreading across the rest of the world really quickly and it's a massive threat to Australia," Mr Marshall said.

"If it did get here, feral pigs are a major vector for something like that."

An outbreak of African swine fever in Australia could cost the economy $50 billion, according to some industry estimates.

The disease is spread through contaminated meat products and has swept through China, Vietnam, Myanmar, South Korea and the Philippines, resulting in millions of pigs being culled.

According to Victorian independent meat broker and trader Simon Quilty, Australia was most at risk though airports and people movement.

"It goes unnoticed in the food products that humans eat, so a good example is that in frozen pork the virus will remain virulent for three years," Mr Quilty said.

He said the biggest impact of the disease so far was in China, where about 200 million pigs have been slaughtered.

There is not enough pork traded globally to supply the estimated 10-million-tonne protein shortfall China will face next year and this presents big opportunities to Australian beef and lamb producers.

China is already Australia's biggest sheep meat market and will most likely become the nation's biggest beef importer in the next year.

Watch this story on ABC TV's Landline this Sunday at 12:30pm or on iView.