News From 2005

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cotton growers, consultants and distributors can get the latest in production recommendations from top agricultural specialists, economists and researchers Nov. 29-30 at the Mississippi State University Extension Service’s 22nd annual Cotton Short Course.

Cotton is one of the mid-South’s most important industries and keeps hundreds of millions of dollars turning over in the region’s economy. Even after record-producing years, growers need the most current recommendations for planting and managing next year’s crop.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A variety of Web sites are gathering names and contact information in an attempt to link landowners with timber on the ground with people who can help them salvage it.

Glenn Hughes, Mississippi State University Extension Service forester, said Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of the standing timber in south Mississippi, and landowners are working now to salvage what they can. The salvage job is massive, but speed is critical in the recovery.

By Robert H. Wells

STONEVILLE -- British poet William Blake wrote of seeing the world in a grain of sand, and one Mississippi State University researcher is seeing Delta towns in kernels of rice.

When Dwight Kanter, a rice breeder at MSU's Delta Research and Extension Center, chose the name of his newest rice variety, he looked no further than the small Delta town where the variety impressed him the most.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The wind chill of 39 degrees this morning told me I better start getting ready to plant pansies and violas. As usual, I find myself a little behind in bed preparation. I need to tidy up the area where lantanas and verbenas have run rampant.

In 2000, the Panola was a Mississippi Medallion award winner, and there were just a handful of colors that first year. This fall, there are 22 colors and nine mixes. One of the most sought-after no doubt will be the True Blue Panola.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Landowners trying to decide if they should clear-cut Katrina-damaged timber stands or try to salvage what is left have some help with their decision.

Trey DeLoach, a Mississippi State University Extension Service forester at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond, said the Extension Service developed a set of guidelines to help landowners assess their timber stands.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Hurricane Katrina and her aftermath destroyed much of the turf along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the entire industry supporting landscapes is reeling.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Top quality beef animals and horses will move through the auction ring Nov. 17 as Mississippi State University releases more than 100 research herd cattle and horses to the highest bidders.

MSU and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station will host the 23rd annual Animal Production Sale at the Mississippi Horse Park, AgriCenter and Fairgrounds, which is located on Poorhouse Road south of Starkville.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi golfers, especially those who play the state’s smaller courses, may soon tee off on bermudagrass that is the product of university research.

While not a new variety, Mississippi State University recently licensed MS-Express to a local sod producer for commercial production and sales.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Judging from those attending this year's Fall Flower and Garden Fest, pansy planting season is here, and there are some terrific new selections to pick from.

I enjoyed watching people shop at the festival in Crystal Springs. In one area, tropicals were selling like there was no tomorrow, and in another area it was pansies and snapdragons. It was good to see people paying attention to the landscape again.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When families come together for socializing or in daily life, grandparents can use those times to do what they do best.

Patsilu Reeves, family life education specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said grandparents give the gifts of example and unconditional love. They fill a variety of roles in families.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Hurricanes continue to chip away at south Mississippi pecan trees, and the state's overall crop will be reduced again in 2005.

Commercial production has been reduced significantly in recent decades in south Mississippi, leaving the bulk of the industry in Delta and central Mississippi counties. Most of the remaining south Mississippi pecan trees are not managed for insects and diseases.

John Braswell is a horticulture specialist with Mississippi State University's Coastal Research and Extension Center in Poplarville.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Weeds and a strange animal that lives in the soil and feeds on roots are under attack by Mississippi State University researchers trying to give every advantage to the state's soybean producers.

Gary Lawrence, a nematologist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, is working on the control of nematodes -- microscopic, worm-like animals in the soil that feed on the roots of plants.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The recent cold front put a little spring in my step and gave me a fresh outlook. It is finally time to plant cool season flowers. One you may have noticed over the past couple of years is Redbor kale, a Fall 2005 Mississippi Medallion award winner.

By Hannah Watts

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Three tractor-trailer loads of supplies are North Carolina 4-H members' way of joining the Mississippi 4-H efforts to help the state's youngest residents struggling to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina.

By Marcus Daniels

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- People cannot change the weather, but they can take conservation steps to save money before colder temperatures arrive.

Jimmy Bonner, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said regardless of how high or low the nation's fuel levels and heating costs are, taking conservation measures are always a good idea.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina and Rita actually helped most of Mississippi's sweetpotato fields in 2005.

Bill Burdine, Mississippi State University Extension Service area agronomist in Chickasaw County, said although some isolated cases of rot may have occurred, none of the storms caused significant damage.

"Dennis, Katrina and Rita provided rains at mostly the right time for the crop's needs," Burdine said. "Katrina caused significant damage to area corn but helped the low-growing, ground-hugging sweetpotato plants."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Moisture meters have arrived in coastal counties to help residents make building or repair decisions in water-damaged homes.

Mississippi State University Extension Service offices in 10 southern counties and at MSU’s Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi are loaning the meters to individuals who need them.

Herb Willcutt, Extension professor of agriculture and bioengineering, warned that it is a mistake to rebuild or repair before wood is sufficiently dry.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Pace Seed Laboratory was one of about 12 buildings damaged when a tornado hit the Mississippi State University campus Sept. 25.

The building, which lost about half of its roof, houses the Life Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and the university’s mini-gin. The section of the roof above the gin was completely blown away by the tornado.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Livestock exhibitors from south Mississippi will find an additional reward at this year's State Fair in Jackson: therapeutic relief.

The 146th Mississippi State Fair will offer more than the traditional rides, good foods and entertainment. It will offer a sense of normalcy that many of the state's counties have been lacking since Hurricane Katrina hit on Aug. 29.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Gorgeous fall colors don't have to be limited to the yard or landscape, but can be artistically arranged as floral accents at any home's entrance. Some well-placed, colorful planters can welcome family and guests to your home even if you don't do a lot of gardening.