News

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A lack of uniform freshness standards in the seafood industry and an intriguing visit to Dauphin Island, Ala., led Mississippi State University food science professor Douglas Marshall to brainstorm methods of improving seafood testing.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

With spring bedding plant season in full swing, many gardeners are faced with trying to add beds of color to shady areas of the yard. There are a lot more choices than most gardeners realize.

The first plants to consider for these areas have to be impatiens. Impatiens are impressive with their vibrant colors that can yield tremendous floral displays from now until fall if watered thoroughly throughout the summer.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rice acreage is inching back toward 1999 levels, and April conditions helped propel the crop to a strong start for the 2001 growing season.

Mississippi growers planted 323,000 acres of rice in 1999 before poor market prices caused a 30 percent decline last year. This year, the prediction is for growers to plant 225,000 acres, about 5 percent more than in 2000.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Entomologists and exotic food connoisseurs alike are anticipating the arrival of the 13-year cicada in southwest Mississippi.

These insects live underground for 13 years before emerging for an adult life that lasts about two weeks. Brood 22 of periodic cicadas is expected to surface in Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson, Warren, Wilkinson and possibly Rankin counties in mid- to late-May.

Some people considered them a delicacy. The newly emerged adults can be fried, either battered or plain, dipped in sauce and eaten.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi veterinarians are sending scientific books, surgical instruments and X-ray machines to help an Albanian veterinary college recovering from the 1997 civil riots.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Sages or salvias represent some of Mississippi's finest plants for the perennial garden, or for those who are seeking the cottage garden look. Their future looks even brighter based on Mississippi State University trials.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Training opportunities and internet access are coming to several unlicensed home child-care providers across Mississippi in a project offering educational support on how best to care for their young clients.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Recently revised estimates indicate that last year's Mississippi farm and forest products values continued their three-year decline from 1997's high of $5 billion.

The total estimated value of Mississippi agricultural and forestry production for 2000 was $4.7 billion, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Instead of showing a 2000 crop value increase from the previous year as earlier predicted, the state came in 1.2 percent lower than the $4.76 billion value registered in 1999.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Some veterinary students are going the extra mile academically and experientially to prepare themselves for careers improving food animal production.

Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine is in its sixth year of a dual-degree program designed to prepare future animal health leaders. Dr. Skip Jack oversees the program that allows students to earn their doctorate of veterinary medicine and a master of science degree together in five years, rather than separately in six.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Children need the summer break away from school to relax and get re-energized before the next term, but learning doesn't have to stop with the classroom lessons.

Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said a variety of fun enrichment programs encourage learning throughout the summer months.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Youth looking for a first job can improve their chances of being hired by dressing the part and carrying a well-written resume to all interviews.

When the lure of having spending money outweighs the appeal of a leisure time, high school youth often turn to part-time employment. Landing that first job can be hard, but with a little preparation, youth can improve their chances of being hired.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center 

Purple coneflowers, known botanically as Echinacea, may be named after a hedgehog or a sea urchin, but these wonderful Mississippi natives are one of my favorite perennials.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Plenty of cold weather this winter and a steady upswing of temperatures this spring helped secure a prosperous season for Mississippi's blueberry crop.

"We're looking forward to an excellent season because by the end of April we've had no damage from late cold spells. We'll have as close to a 100 percent crop as we've ever had," said Waynesboro grower Jerry Hutto.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many teachers across the state are using natural resource conservation as a means to teach their students skills in topics such as math and science.

This summer and for the last 37 years, the Mississippi Forestry Association has gathered cooperators to offer a week-long Teachers Conservation Workshop. This residential class is giving educators a way to emphasize the importance of conservation of natural resources while teaching the basic skills required in the state curriculum.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Good and bad insects in the garden may look all the same to some growers, but understanding differences between bugs can help prevent vegetable losses.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Butterflies, hummingbirds and gardeners will love the Mississippi Medallion award-winning Butterfly pentas. This group, or series, of herbaceous plants proved almost conclusively that butterflies not only have a unique flying ability but also an underrated intelligence. Apparently, butterflies can read.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi cotton growers will vote in June on the continuing efforts to hold boll weevils at bay.

Five regions of Mississippi have been engaged in five-year plans to eradicate cotton's No. 1 pest from all fields. Last year was the first year since the early 1900s that Mississippi cotton growers did not lose any yield to boll weevils. To maintain that ability, growers in the state's hill region will have to agree to assessments supporting the organized eradication efforts.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Love at first sight in pet stores and animal shelters can lead to impromptu animal ownership, but make advanced preparations before bringing a new pet home.

Jane Yeatman, Golden Triangle Kennel Club member and instructor of Superpuppy training classes at Mississippi State University, said the home, yard and surrounding areas can pose dangers to pets if owners neglect taking the proper precautions. Some alterations will help ensure the safety of a pet and home furnishings.

By Allison Matthews

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- House training is the hard work that goes along with the fun of owning a new pet, but consistent and patient owners won't have to wait long for successful results.

Jane Yeatman, a member of the Golden Triangle Kennel Club, teaches Superpuppy training classes at Mississippi State University. She said owners should expect puppies to have accidents, but spending extra time with an animal is helpful in teaching the desired behavioral habits.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Heartbroken pet owners and their veterinarians can keep the memory of a cherished animal alive through a unique memorial program.

Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine offers the Fund for Companion Animals Require Excellence program to honor deceased pets. Fund for CARE allows friends or owners of the deceased pet to make donations which aid MSU's Animal Health Center and improve the training given to new veterinarians.