News

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.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Preparing large animal patients for evaluation, treatment and care is a huge responsibility.

Four technicians at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine assume that role each day. Their ability to mobilize veterinary personnel helps the college maintain a high level of service and outreach.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Several Mississippi State University faculty and staff members were honored for service at the recent summer celebration of the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.

The division presented the 2008 Louis and Doris Wise Support Staff Awards, the Rosalind and Rodney Foil Teamwork Award and the William M. White Special Project Awards during the annual event at the Bost Center. Wise and Foil are former division vice presidents, and White was a dairy producer and MSU financial supporter.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Livestock owners and hay producers have an opportunity to learn a lot of information about their business in a short amount of time at a Mississippi State University two-day short course in August.

The Mississippi Pasture and Forage Short Course will be held Aug. 26-27 at the Bost Conference Center at MSU. It is sponsored by the MSU Extension Service, along with company leaders in the forage field.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Soaring fuel prices have reduced family spending on other things, cut into business profits and led to a dramatic increase in fuel thefts across Mississippi and the country.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Gardeners, if you have even a little shade, you need to remember the name Cathedral Windows. This is one of the most beautiful hostas in the world.

I need to admit, first, that when I see hostas, I love them all. I run from one to the next, drooling over them and listing their virtues and exclaiming how this one or that one must be the prettiest I've ever seen.