News From 2001

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cooking skills are bringing some widespread attention to a Mississippi volunteer organization.

Three recipes from the Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers' own cookbook, "Down Home Dining in Mississippi," were featured in a new cookbook, "America's Best Recipes -- A 2001 Hometown Collection." This cookbook is produced by Oxmoor House Inc., the parent company of Southern Living magazine.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Earning a college degree is a rather traditional pursuit, but Mississippi State University offers several degrees in some fairly non-traditional fields.

In addition to engineering, education, mathematics and science, MSU students can earn degrees in such varied areas as sports turf, precision agriculture, cotton ginning, landscape architecture, retail floristry and food science.

By Charmain Tan Courcelle

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Vaccine and pharmaceutical combinations are being used in aquaculture production as the first line of defense against disease-causing organisms.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The recent market's demand for larger catfish has helped the industry become more efficient, but it also increases the risk to producers.

Harvest-ready catfish today weigh between 1 1/4 to 3 pounds and average 1 1/2 pounds. Until recently, catfish averaging 1 1/4 pounds were considered market-size fish.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

No plant can impart the grace, elegance and lushness for the poolside or patio like a fern. While I love the perennial ferns that we grow with such ease in the garden, I also have a passion for the more tropical ferns.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Some people ride horses for relaxation, others for sport, but a conference coming in August to Mississippi State University is training people how to use horses as treatment tools.The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association is holding its Region 5 conference in Starkville Aug. 3 through 5. The NARHA conference is being hosted by the MSU Extension Service, and much of it will be held at the Mississippi Horse Park, Agricenter and Fairgrounds.

By Linda Breazeale

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University researchers are working to reduce the health challenges mass production of catfish can bring, which are similar to the issues faced by other food animals such as poultry and swine.

"Anytime you have intensive management situations, you can have various outbreaks of disease or parasite problems," said Dr. Linda Pote, parasitologist with MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine.

By Charmain Tan Courcelle

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The search for an economical means to produce a parasite vaccine for livestock led a Mississippi State University researcher to look at the guts of the problem.

Cody Coyne, a researcher with MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, has developed a method for growing intestinal cells from nematode parasites for use in vaccines.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rice farmers have a very good reason for hoping temperatures don't get any hotter than they are now: rice pollination is reduced when it's much above 95 degrees.

Joe Street, rice specialist in Stoneville with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the crop was progressing well by the second week of July despite recent heat.

"We're actually a little ahead of schedule in a lot of cases," Street said. "Everything is looking good right now."

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

When you look at a tropical hibiscus blooming on your deck or patio, it is easy to conjure up visions of the Caribbean and the sounds of a steel band. It's funny how plants can mentally take us where neither our budget nor time will allow. Can a perennial hibiscus do the same? You bet your bottom dollar!

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Bringing home a report card regardless of the grades can be a traumatic experience for youth, but parents can help lessen the trauma by listening and communicating.

"If parents expect straight A's from their children and they only bring home average grades, youth feel they are disappointing their parents," said Louise Davis, family and child development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

"Parents must know their child's capabilities," Davis said. "A C-average person shouldn't be pressured to do A-average work."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Paying for college is expensive, but parents can make the task easier on themselves and their child if they start saving when the child is young.

The cost of a college education at a public university for children born this year is expected to be $100,000. For those wishing to attend a private university, the cost rises to $235,000 for the four-year experience.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- August can feel like December to family budgets strained by back-to-school purchases, but planning and careful shopping can ease the crunch.

Jan Lukens, Extension consumer management specialist at Mississippi State University's Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, said how much a parent spends on supplies varies by teacher, grade and school. It is also affected by whether or not the school has uniforms.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- High expectations for a new school year and dreams for a fresh start can evolve into the same old frustrations and despair when a student's reality is not academic or social stardom.

Louise Davis, family and child development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said adults should watch for signs of frustration over behavior problems and academic challenges that prompt students to withdraw from school, even before they drop out.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Kids may think a lunch box's primary purpose is to look cool while holding food, but parent's should be sure the lunch box is actually a safe place for food.

Dr. Melissa Mixon, human nutrition specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said packing a safe, healthy lunch for school children can be a bit tricky. Whatever is packed must be able to survive several hours without refrigeration before lunchtime.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's 1.7 million acres of cotton got off to a good start and are developing well as the crop heads into mid-season.

Farmers planted 400,000 more cotton acres than in 2000, bringing the state's acreage to the highest level it's been since 1974. Soybean acreage is way down, and this year is the first in nearly 40 that cotton acreage has exceeded soybean acreage.

Will McCarty, cotton specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said planting started in early April and was finished in mid- to late-May.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- About the only way Mississippi farm-raised catfish resemble other fish found in the state is that they all live in water.

Catfish are grown commercially under controlled conditions. Every aspect of their production is carefully managed to ensure a consistently high harvest and to protect the quality of the product.

Mississippi leads the world in catfish production. In 2000, the state had 110,000 acres of catfish ponds while the nation had a total of 190,000 acres.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

One of the most striking vines for the southern landscape is about to get a new infusion of promotion thanks to the debut of two new varieties. Sunny Orange Wonder and Sunny Lemon Star are two new black-eyed Susan vines (Thunbergia alata) being introduced by BallFlora Plant that will hopefully be making their way to garden centers next spring.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Local fairs are finding new life as communities resurrect the excitement of county and regional events across the state this summer and fall.

"Fairs are growing in popularity. They bring us back to the basics of life," said Billy Orr, retired director of the Mississippi State Fair. Orr is directing the organization of the Mississippi Fair Association to help communities plan event dates, and share vendors and ideas.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A Mississippi State University veterinarian was one of several Americans who spent time in the United Kingdom this summer helping contain the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Dr. Wayne Groce, professor and coordinator of the Office of Special Programs in MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, was in Great Britain from May 2 through June 1working in that country's foot and mouth disease eradication program. Two other Mississippi veterinarians also served on similar teams at different times.