News From 2016

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Researchers recently gathered at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine to share information about a common bacteria most people associate with ear and sinus infections.

Pneumococcal disease is also responsible for more serious infections, such as pneumonia and sepsis. Because of its prevalence and severity, MSU scientists are focused on finding preventions and treatments.

May is Older Americans Month…

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The phrase “you are what you eat” may be a cliche, but nothing is truer nutritionally for adults who have reached their 65th birthday.

Pamela Redwine, a Mississippi State University Extension Service agent in Yalobusha County, said a good diet provides the energy seniors need to be at their most productive.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- An abundance of cool-season grasses and legumes means plenty of forage for Mississippi dairy cows, but increased nationwide milk production is driving down profits for the state’s producers.

Producers are receiving $12.75 per hundredweight, or about $1.10 per gallon of milk. A year ago, they were being paid just under $20 per hundredweight.

Brian Williams, an agricultural economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the sharp decrease is driven by supply.

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. -- For military families, finding child care that accommodates their hectic schedules can feel impossible, which is what makes child care providers like Heather Bond so special.

For nearly six years, Bond has opened her home to military families who do not have traditional schedules, giving parents a safe and inviting alternative to conventional child care options.  

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- As children, Jessica and Rachel Wilson of Rankin County began working with animals, and now the sisters plan to devote their careers to this vocation after earning veterinary medicine degrees from Mississippi State University.

May is Older Americans Month…

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- After pharmacist Jim Murray’s legs gave out at a Mississippi State University tailgate in 2007, his doctor told him his gardening days were over.

However, Murray is gardening again, thanks to the Pine Belt Master Gardeners’ salad table project.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Despite above-average rainfall in Mississippi between January and March, only a small portion of that moisture made it back into our groundwater, which is the primary source for household needs, including water for lawns and gardens.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Cotton producers made rapid planting progress in mid-May on increased acreage, hoping the recent trend of high yields will continue in a year of low prices for all crops.

Darrin Dodds, cotton specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said dry weather during the second week of May allowed farmers to kick planting into high gear.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- More than 20 campus units and 30 faculty and staff members at Mississippi State University are teaming up with state and federal agencies and local stakeholders to restore the water quality of a creek that flows through campus and is the focal point of the Catalpa Creek watershed.

Choosing flowering annuals at the garden center is always an easy task if you have celosias on your shopping list.

May is Older Americans Month…

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Many people view senior adulthood as a time to slow down and relax, but too much free time can lead to unhappiness.

David Buys, health specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said volunteer work and community involvement are good ways for seniors to enjoy retirement.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Spring rains created their typical obstacle course for Mississippi soybean growers trying to get fields planted as soon as possible.

“Growers are covering a lot of ground this week (May 8-13) trying to plant before the next rain,” said Trent Irby, soybean specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “Frequent rains have made the planting season a challenge. Growers are planting all they can between these rains. Even with these challenges, we are only slightly behind where we were last year in terms of planting progress.”

RAYMOND, Miss -- This time of year is when swarms of honeybees settle in trees or shrubs as they leave their hives searching for larger places to live

BILOXI, Miss. -- Floral enthusiasts and professionals can attend a variety of hands-on floral design workshops this summer in Biloxi.

Jim DelPrince, floral design specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, will offer five individual workshops from May through August.

Four workshops are aimed at floral enthusiasts.

On May 26, participants will learn to create hemisphere arrangements, the classic half-globe-shaped centerpieces used for head-of-state dinners and wedding receptions.

STARKVILLE, Miss. – The American College of Theriogenologists has presented its highest honor to a professor in the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Beef producers will hear reports of Mississippi State University’s research efforts related to a variety of livestock health and management considerations at a May 21 field day.

The free program will begin at 9 a.m. at the MSU Beef Unit, located south of the main campus in the Henry H. Leveck Animal Research Center.

One of the fun things about being the Southern Gardener is having the opportunity to share new and colorful plants with gardeners all across Mississippi and beyond.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Visitors to the Mississippi Horse Park will witness the most exciting minutes in sports as harness horses return to race around the renovated track in the first sanctioned events since 2006.

Bricklee Miller, manager of the Mississippi State University facility, said the races will begin around 2 p.m. on May 22. Admission is $5 per person, and concessions will be available. Bleachers will overlook the track, but she recommended lawn chairs and binoculars.

Miller said harness racing has a long history in the state.