News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new poultry specialist is on the job at Mississippi State University, ready to help the poultry industry in Mississippi.

Vanessa Kretzschmar-McCluskey started work July 16 as a poultry specialist with the MSU Extension Service. She will work with growers and industry officials to support the state’s poultry industry.

“Basically I’m a troubleshooter and a problem solver,” Kretzschmar said. “I’ll try to establish contact with all of our growers and the poultry companies who work in Mississippi.”

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Corn prices were too good to last, and after growing the most expensive corn crop ever, Mississippi farmers are hoping to bring in high enough yields to still make a profit.

John Anderson, agricultural economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said prices have been “melting down” since about mid-July.

For fishing study…

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University is preparing for a research project to understand what motivates fishing enthusiasts to risk personal injury reaching into a dark, underwater hole to grab a fish instead of using the traditional hook-and-line method.

By Steven Nalley
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Careful maintenance, efficient driving practices and informed spending can increase a vehicle's fuel efficiency and help drivers deal with gasoline costs near $4 per gallon.

Susan Cosgrove, family resource management area agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said routine tune-ups extend both gas mileage and the life of a car.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Keeping meals on the table is an ever-more-expensive task for Mississippians as food prices were up more than 8 percent in the last three months and energy prices are more than 50 percent higher than last year.

Susan Cosgrove, family resource management area agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said egg prices are up 60 percent, pasta prices are up 30 percent, and fruit and vegetables cost about 20 percent more than they did a year ago.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Early August usually means several more weeks of hot, miserable weather. If your more tender flowers have started to fail, I have a combination planting that will perk up your summer-tired landscape.

Lime green ornamental sweet potatoes and Dragon Wing begonias kick into gear when temperatures soar. These work in landscapes, containers or baskets.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cotton farmers are having a good production year despite a late start, but time is running out for prices to catch up.

Mississippi State University Extension agronomist Darrin Dodds said a wet spring across Mississippi's cotton-growing areas in east Mississippi and the Delta delayed planting.

By Steven Nalley
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Senior citizens in rural Mississippi are discovering local resources and activities available to them through a new Mississippi State University Extension Service project.

Bonnie Carew, Extension leader of the Smart Aging: Healthy Futures project, said involvement is key to healthy aging. She said seniors benefit when they engage in community activities and volunteerism.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- About 30 of Starkville's most discerning citizens found the opening of the town's senior enrichment center quite laughable after listening to Mississippi State University Extension Service professor Linda Mitchell.

An insightful discussion ensued as Mitchell used props, facial expressions and exercises to show how humor can relieve the stress of getting older in a world preoccupied with youth.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MADISON, Ala. -- A dog has a master, a cat has a staff, and the felines in north Alabama have a veterinarian at their command who understands their management style.

Stephanie Gandy-Moody, a 2007 graduate of Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, recently opened The Cat Hospital of Madison, Ala., a medical facility that caters to cats and the people they own.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Two upcoming seminars will help women who work in farming businesses.

This is the second year for “Mississippi Women in Agriculture – Annie’s Project,” which targets women, who are often the sole decision makers in their agricultural businesses.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

I was told once that outdoor furniture should entice a person to sit and relax for an extended period of time. Today the choice of outdoor furniture is staggering and almost as complicated as picking out the plants to use nearby.

Just as there are old-time favorite plants that have reached heirloom status, such as the fragrant gardenia, there are furniture styles that have stood the test of time.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- High feed prices and low live-fish prices this year are forcing catfish producers to evaluate their operations and future plans, and many are calling it quits.

Catfish feed makes up about half of the production cost, and prices are more than $400 a ton this year, up from $250 a ton last year and in recent years. Live-fish prices have been as low as 70 cents a pound for catfish, but by July had reached 80 cents a pound. High fuel prices also mean it costs more to feed catfish, aerate ponds, and deliver fish to the processor.

By Steven Nalley
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Disasters can sever important lines of communication, leaving the hurt helpless and the missing lost.

Disaster preparation requires not only formulating a survival plan, but also informing distant relatives, local officials and neighbors about that plan to reopen broken lines of communication as soon as possible.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The Japanese tassel fern offers rare beauty, form and texture in the landscape and should be mandatory for all shade or woodland gardens.

If you treasure ferns but lament their disappearance in the late fall -- caused by deciduous dormancy, death or having to move them to a sheltered location -- then you will like the genus Polystichum.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- What comes first from the processing of corn − the ethanol in the car, the egg in the refrigerator or the enhancements in plastic lumber?

Mississippi State University researchers think that one manufacturing process can produce materials for all three products at the same time.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The third annual Miss-Lou Rural Tourism Summit, designed to educate rural tourism workers, is scheduled for Aug. 12-14 at Vicksburg’s Southern Cultural Heritage Center.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An upcoming workshop will help new food businesses learn how to battle the stiff odds and succeed.

“Food as a Business” is a day-long video conference Aug. 28 sponsored by Mississippi State University’s Extension Service, the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion and the Small Business Development Center. Also taking part as a sponsor is the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship with the Mississippi University for Women.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new wildlife and fisheries specialist is available to assist Mississippians with pond management issues on their property.

Wes Neal assumed responsibilities with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service on July 1.

“We are pleased to have such a talented fisheries specialist on board after a three-year absence of a specialist in wild fisheries and pond management at MSU,” said Bruce Leopold, head of MSU’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The volatile fuel market has caused nightmares for every farmer, but the problem is particularly vexing for sod producers who cannot escape the added cost of looking good.

Sod has to be trimmed and mowed at least twice a week to maintain good appearance and health before sale. Grass practically sells itself when it is luscious and in shape. But these frequent trips with the mower increase fuel use.