News

By Linda Breazeale
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cotton will not be returning to the throne in Mississippi, but growers are slightly more enthusiastic about this former king than they have been in recent years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its annual prospective plantings report March 31, and Mississippi producers are predicted to plant 340,000 acres of cotton. That is an increase of 11 percent from 2009 but is a far cry from the 1.2 million acres planted in 2005 and 2006.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Well-kept yards and gardens require seasonal maintenance, a task that Mississippi State University horticulturists have simplified with a new online instructional video series.

The series, “Gardening through the Seasons,” addresses gardening tasks to be done at different times of the year. Each video is about 5 minutes long and features MSU horticulturists demonstrating techniques, examples and problem solving.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – When winter is finally over and warm weather sets in to stay, Mississippians can put their warm things safely away for next year by taking a few precautions.

Some people think of storing winter clothes as a simple task of moving items from one closet to another or placing them in a box in the attic. However, improper storage can lead to stains, insect problems and an unpleasant surprise when cold weather returns.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Nearly 200 Mississippi 4-H youth are learning science, technology and engineering skills as they work with robots and meet monthly via videoconferencing to learn new skills and take on new challenges.

Mariah Smith, an instructor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, is coordinating the program for Mississippi 4-H. She said the youth learn basic science, technology and engineering concepts behind robots and make simple robotic elements out of non-traditional parts.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Research by the Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University has been included in a new book about positive approaches to community development.

“Mobilizing Communities: Asset Building as a Community Development Strategy” includes a chapter by SRDC director Lionel “Bo” Beaulieu and his colleague Mark Harvey, assistant sociology professor at Florida Atlantic University. Harvey completed his post-doctoral work at SRDC and was an assistant research professor at MSU.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – When Nancy Bearden accepted a job at the Winston County Extension office in 1960, she never realized she would be a part of the Mississippi State University family for the next 50 years.

Bearden has the distinction of being the university’s longest-tenured employee. She will celebrate the anniversary in August, but she was honored Feb. 26 by throwing out the first pitch at the MSU versus Southeastern Louisiana baseball game. The event was part of MSU’s 132nd birthday celebration.

FLOWOOD -- Private practice veterinarians are partnering with Mississippi State University to provide around-the-clock emergency care and referral services for critical cases in the Jackson area.

The Animal Emergency and Referral Center at 1009 Treetops Boulevard in Flowood opened on March 17. From 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays, the center’s veterinarian and three veterinary technicians handle critical surgery, orthopedic and neurological cases that are referred to them from practicing veterinarians. No elective surgeries, primary care or routine treatments are provided.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's winter wheat crop is smaller and later than normal because of fall rains, and a colder-than-normal spring may limit the crop's yield.

Erick Larson, grain crops specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said Mississippi's wheat acreage is expected to be well short of the 10-year average of 225,000 acres.

By Karen Templeton
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Wild pigs are digging up trouble across the state and causing major crop damage, so Mississippi State University and federal experts are helping landowners and farmers eradicate the troublesome beasts.

Wild pigs are a highly adaptable species that is not native to North America. They are seen throughout the country, causing vast agricultural and environmental damage.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – A group of Mississippi State University students has spent two years breathing life into the inactive chapter of Collegiate 4-H on campus, and for those doing the hard work, recognition from the National Collegiate 4-H organization feels great.

With flowers suspended on thin, wiry stems, bobbing along in the breeze as if floating on water, the columbine makes the perfect addition to any garden or landscape.

Columbine foliage is reminiscent of maidenhair fern, being attached to the plant by long petioles. The flowers are an interesting landscape addition with colors ranging from purple and blue to yellow, white and red. Columbine bi-colored varieties of red and white, red and yellow, and blue and white are spectacular. The flowers either turn up or nod downward.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Local seed companies and growers depend each year on Mississippi State University to provide quality foundation seed of improved varieties.

MSU established Mississippi Foundation Seed Stocks in 1959 as a unit of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. At its peak production in the early 1980s, the unit supplied about 110,000 bushels of foundation seed each year of mostly soybeans, cotton and rice.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Citizens, developers and policymakers in the renewable energy industry across the South who want a clean, vibrant and secure energy future can explore options at an upcoming two-day conference in Tunica.

The Ninth Annual Southern BioProducts and Renewable Energy Conference will be April 13-14 at Harrah’s Resort Hotel. The Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council hosts the annual state conference.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippians looking for gardening tips and advice can now turn to Gary Bachman, the new Southern Gardening horticulturist. 

Southern Gardening is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and consists of a weekly newspaper column, and radio and television segments. For the past 15 years, MSU horticulturist Norman Winter wrote the columns and appeared in the segments. Bachman was selected for the role after Winter left to become vice president for college advancement at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Two one-day workshops will provide the tools for farmers and landowners to start and manage a natural resource enterprise.

Fee fishing, fee hunting, agritourism, and wildlife watching are examples of enterprises based on the natural resources commonly found on Mississippi’s private lands.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Intercollegiate rodeo competition will return to Mississippi State University on April 9 and 10 when students host the first events on campus in several years.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Many Mississippians don’t mind unusually cold and wet winters because they think the weather is killing insects, but that is rarely what actually happens.

The state’s moderate climate is ideal for growing crops and multiplying insects, and the insects that live in Mississippi are suited to weather fluctuations. An insect’s ability to survive the winter is called overwintering, and it determines how quickly their numbers increase in the spring.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Each year, replacing deteriorated wood in U.S. homes costs billions of dollars, but research at Mississippi State University is helping protect homeowners’ wallets and the environment.

“Since 1988, scientists in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center have been studying the development of totally organic biocides,” said Tor Schultz, MSU forest products professor.

Spring is one of my favorite times in the garden as the transition begins from a long, cold winter to gardens full of flowers in summertime.

Mississippi has many plant species that bloom very early in the year when the temperatures are still fairly cool. Tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinth color the garden when there are few other flowers. However, the downside to these wonderful spring-flowering plants is the foliage begins to look ratty after the flowers are spent.

Do you ever wonder how some people manage to have such beautiful plants in their gardens? You may think they shop somewhere special you’ve never heard about and know deep gardening secrets, but you, too, can create an inspiring landscape and grow beautiful and healthy plants.

It all begins with selecting healthy specimens at the local nursery or garden center. Look for plants that have strong branches with no crossed limbs and straight and sturdy trunks. The leaves should be of normal size, shape and color for that plant species.