News

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

You’ve no doubt heard of pansy pals, but as you shop this holiday season, you may want to consider poinsettia partners. Poinsettias are already sold with decorative ribbons, foil liners and greenery for an extra special touch, so why not consider floral partners?

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Collaboration between a Mississippi State University research agronomist and Georgia’s self-proclaimed “sodfather” may offer the Southeast the “Freedom” of a viable grassy feedstock to capitalize on sustainable bioenergy production.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A weed scientist who has spent his career developing strategies to control agricultural crop pests has been named interim head of Mississippi State University’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

Dan Reynolds assumed his new duties Nov. 25. MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine vice president Greg Bohach announced the appointment.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A Mississippi State University animal scientist who explores physiological factors affecting the ability of horses to reproduce and an MSU agricultural economist who makes sense of the interaction of market forces have each been honored with a prestigious award. 

Peter Ryan, a faculty member of the MSU Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, received the 2009 Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Excellence in Research Award. The award is sponsored by Southern Ag Credit, a part of the Farm Credit System.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University will resume its efforts this summer to encourage talented high school juniors to consider medical professions in Mississippi.

From 1998 through 2007, special funding allowed MSU to offer the intense, five-week Rural Medical Scholars summer program. New funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the University of Mississippi Medical Center will help MSU identify the state’s future primary-care doctors and help them become members of the medical school class of 2019.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A 24-year-veteran faculty member is the new head of the Mississippi State University's forestry department.

Andrew Ezell will assume his new duties Dec. 1, leading the only 4-year forestry degree program in the state.

"Dr. Ezell has a wealth of experience in research, Extension and teaching," said George Hopper, dean of the College of Forest Resources and research center director. "His experience working with private landowners is extensive, and he will be an asset to the university and the state in his new role.”

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The holidays will be sweeter for food pantry patrons after Collegiate 4-H members from across the Southeast bagged more than 30,000 pounds of sweet potatoes at Mississippi State University’s annual drop for the Mississippi Food Network.

By Karen Templeton
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Poultry’s spot as the state’s No. 1 agricultural commodity is due in large part to a strong relationship between the poultry industry and Mississippi State University.

MSU’s poultry science department assists the growing industry through education, research and outreach to help improve production. Sanderson Farms, the fourth-largest U.S. poultry producer and processor, has been located in Laurel since 1955. The company has a longstanding relationship with MSU researchers.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

When I go to the annual California Pack Trials, it is rare that a poinsettia makes me take the lens cover off my camera. Visions of Grandeur is one that did. It absolutely mesmerized me with its shades of rose pink, cream and yellow.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station Sales Store located on Mississippi State University’s campus will have extended hours during Thanksgiving week.

During the week of Nov. 22 - 28, the store will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and, Friday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The store will also be open for Egg Bowl attendees from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

No matter where you live in the country, there is a season when snapdragons will absolutely steal the show in your landscape. In zones 7 and warmer, many gardeners plant them in the fall as pansy partners. They are planted in late winter to early spring in colder areas where they give riotous colors almost all summer.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many acres of Mississippi crops remain in the fields, but by mid-November, most of what is left will have no market value and will not be harvested.

Nearly all the state’s corn crop was harvested by Nov. 8, but large percentages of the other row crops were still in the fields. Historically, harvest of the state’s corn, cotton, soybeans, rice, sorghum and sweet potato crops is complete by late October to early November.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Crop variety trials offer Mississippi growers insight into a new seed’s potential before they “bet the farm” on these options.

Farming has many factors that are beyond growers’ control including the weather, production costs and market prices. But a decades-old research service offered by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station aims to remove some of the unknowns as growers select varieties for the next year’s crop.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University research has found that protecting young bucks improves herd health and creates a better hunting experience.

The university’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture has been conducting deer research for more than 40 years with the goal of improving deer populations throughout the Southeast. A recent study found that protecting young bucks is important because they father nearly a third of all fawns.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University students who did not participate in 4-H at the county level have a chance to join the collegiate version of an organization that nurtures leadership and teamwork.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The best way to battle a pathogen affecting the state’s catfish industry is to know as much about it as possible, and Mississippi State University researchers took a major step in that direction this summer.

Researchers at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine released the genome sequence of Edwardsiella ictaluri 93-146, the most important pathogen affecting the state’s channel catfish aquaculture industry. Dr. Mark Lawrence, a CVM professor of basic sciences, was the lead investigator of the project, which was completed this summer.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Dozens of poinsettia varieties and novelty plants will be on display and sale at the Dec. 4 Holiday Open House hosted by Mississippi State University’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. Additional poinsettia displays will be available Dec. 5 in Kosciusko and Jackson.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi State University is offering training for those who would like to open a child-care business and for administrators of established centers.

The Child Care as a Business training will be presented by the Mississippi Child Care Resource and Referral Network Dec. 1-3 at the Bolivar, Forrest, Lee, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pearl River, Scott and Yalobusha county Extension offices.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Three upcoming webinars addressing e-commerce issues of importance to Mississippi entrepreneurs are being offered free through the Southern Rural Development Center.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Its fiery yellow, orange and red colors make the Chinese pistache one of the prettiest trees this fall. From coast to coast, horticulturists sing the praises of this tree, and if you plant one or an informal cluster, you, too, will join the chorus.