Pork producing in Michigan is a half a billion dollar industry, but it's in danger some say, because of the outbreak of feral swine.

"An outbreak of diseases, we know these feral animals cause, could result in a quarantine of Michigan hogs moving out of the state," Sam Hines of Michigan Pork Producers said.

And, it's not just pork and livestock that farmers say are threatened.

"Feral swine destroy fields, destroy crops," John Cnudde, chairman of the board of Michigan Agri-Business Association, said. "I've seen first hand how overnight they can destroy an acre of corn."

The DNR can't confirm how many feral swine are out there, but it estimates it's in the thousands. So far, wild pigs have been spotted in 72 of Michigan's 83 counties.

"We're bringing in wild boars for hunting purposes, they're escaping and breeding in the wild and becoming feral," Sen. Rick Jones (R) Grand Ledge said.

It's time says Jones to ban that operation altogether. Tuesday he proposed legislation that designates wild hogs as invasive species and bans recreational shooting on ranches.

"Michigan agriculture is a 72 billion industry," he said. "We can't jeopardize that. It's too much money, it's too many jobs."

But, for the 50 or so gaming ranchers in this state, it could be lights out.

Rep. Ed McBroom, a dairy farmer from the upper peninsula, said that's too harsh.

"They are bringing in tourists, and hunters from around the world," McBroom, (R) Menominee, said.

He does admit there are problems, which is why he proposed legislation that would regulate the industry, not, in his words, destroy it.

"In order to make sure people who can comply with restrictions can stay in business," he said.

Jones said it's time to nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse. He said the agriculture industry here is too important not to.

Ted Nugent, an avid hunter, has been a vocal opponent of an all-out ban. We talked with his son, Toby, who runs a pig ranch near Jackson. He and his father would prefer regulations that weed out ranch owners who aren't following the rules, rather than an all-out ban.

If nothing is done legislatively, feral swine will make the Michigan invasive species list July 8th