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News From 2003

The Blue Glory offers the perfect complement for the Sunny Orange Wonder black-eyed Susan vine.
June 16, 2003 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

A new vine in town this spring could change our landscape habits for a long time. The vine is called Blue Glory, known botanically as Thunbergia battiscombei.

We know thunbergias from the clock vine or black-eyed Susan vine Thunbergia alata and, of course, the Brazilian sky flower Thunbergia grandiflora.

June 16, 2003 - Filed Under: 4-H

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- For Patty Tucker, getting her teen-age daughters involved with Mississippi 4-H proved a smart move for the entire family.

Starting out as a volunteer leader, with duties that ranged from club chauffeur to club chef, Tucker worked her way through the program and now boasts a 24-year relationship with the club.

June 16, 2003 - Filed Under: Animal Health

By Laura Whelan

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- At a time when animal health, safety and research are more crucial than ever to the welfare and security of the nation, Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine has once again received national accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education.

June 16, 2003 - Filed Under: Farm Safety

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Just as smoke indicates fire, moisture indicates mold, and where there's mold, there's trouble.

Molds and mildews are forms of fungi found year-round both indoors and outdoors. They need moisture to grow, and thrive in warm, humid and damp or water-damaged conditions. Molds have odors, look bad, can cause health problems and can damage structures.

Herb Willcutt, safety specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said Mississippi offers ideal growing conditions for mold.

June 13, 2003 - Filed Under: Forest Economics

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi has benefitted greatly from revenue generated from wood products in recent years, but to maximize forestry's future value, industry representatives are being encouraged not to rest on their laurels.

The Ruby Star features pointed petals and maintains its red color well .
June 9, 2003 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Many gardeners want plants that will bloom all summer and right up until fall. The first option always seems to be New Gold lantana. Believe it or not, there is a tropical vine that will bloom until the first freeze as well. It is called Brazilian Jasmine, or Mandevilla.

Virginia Whittington, president of the Mississippi 4-H Volunteers Association, (from left) presents a certificate for 60 years of service to Thelma Harris of Adams County and Dessie Burks of Madison County. The two volunteers were honored recently during the state 4-H Congress at Mississippi State University. Joining in the presentation is Harvey Gordon, 4-H volunteer development specialist with MSU's Extension Service.
June 9, 2003 - Filed Under: 4-H

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- If the mention of 4-H only brings to mind children and teenagers, you need to meet some adult volunteers with 60-plus years of service in the organization.

June 9, 2003 - Filed Under: Nutrition

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The benefits of calcium to the human body are practically immeasurable, and new research shows it can even help prevent tumors and other health problems.

"Most everyone knows the major role of calcium is to help build strong bones," said Rebecca Kelly, a registered dietitian and human nutrition specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "Strong bones make movement possible, holding the body upright and supporting muscles."

June 9, 2003 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Laura Whelan

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A recent theory claims extensive use of male plants in the landscape is the culprit behind the sniffles and sneezes of allergy sufferers, but many gardening experts believe such planting practices are not to blame.

June 6, 2003 - Filed Under: Dairy

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A poor economy and a national oversupply of milk created the worst milk prices in 25 years, and Mississippi dairy producers find themselves losing money.

Bill Herndon, dairy economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said producers are getting less than $12 per hundredweight for milk.

"The cost of production in our state is between $13 and $14 per hundredweight," Herndon said. "Dairy farmers are in dire financial stress."

June 3, 2003 - Filed Under: Poultry

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Four Mississippi State University students took top national honors for the second consecutive year in the U.S. Poultry and Egg Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest held recently in Baton Rouge, La.

John Cox of Shannon, Jason Quick of Ellisville, Stephanie Thornton of Carthage and Renee Williams of Bay Springs successfully defended MSU's 2002 championship title against teams from 11 colleges and universities. The MSU team was coached by Tim Chamblee, associate professor of poultry science, and assistant coach Corey Davis of Fulton.

June 2, 2003 - Filed Under: About Extension

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center was established in Verona in 1984, it marked the beginning of the research and extension center concept in Mississippi.

On May 30, the center was renamed the Hiram D. Palmertree North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in honor of its first head.

June 2, 2003 - Filed Under: Cotton

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cotton growers in the north Mississippi Delta are preparing for a vote to decide continued participation in the Southeastern efforts to eliminate boll weevils across the Cotton Belt.

Growers in boll weevil eradication regions 1A and 1B will be voting on a 10-year continuation of organized efforts to rid their fields of history's most destructive cotton pest. Eradication efforts during the last five years have reduced yield losses from boll weevils to zero.

June 2, 2003 - Filed Under: Agriculture

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi will be in the spotlight this fall during the 26th annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition in Moultrie, Ga.

June 2, 2003 - Filed Under: Organic Fruit and Vegetables, Vegetable Gardens

 By Laura Whelan

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Organic vegetable gardening is on the rise in Mississippi, and its benefits are attracting interest from both commercial and home gardeners.

"Organic gardening has been an increasing trend in the United States for about 10 years, but interest in Mississippi is fairly recent," said Rick Snyder, vegetable specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service in Crystal Springs.

Indian Summer is a gorgeous annual that reaches 42 inches in height and produces its heart out with large, softball-size blooms.
June 2, 2003 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As you drive down Mississippi's highways and by-ways, don't lament that we don't fare well with blue bonnets, because this year our own wild phlox, coreopsis, Queen Anne's lace and Indian Pinks have been as pretty as a painting.

Another of my favorite wildflowers -- the black-eyed Susan -- is just starting to advertise its landscape attributes to all who pass by. Their roadside performance should be a clear signal they will work just as well in our yards.

June 2, 2003 - Filed Under: About Extension

By Rick Bogren
LSU AgCenter Communications

VICKSBURG -- Residents of some of the most economically depressed areas of the country soon will enjoy strengthened educational and outreach programs in four target areas.

That's the result of a unique agreement signed by Cooperative Extension Service directors from three Mississippi Delta states recently.

May 30, 2003 - Filed Under: Crops

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Saturated soils in some parts of the state are complicating management decisions for corn farmers and increasing the likelihood of reduced yields.

Erick Larson, grain crops specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said small corn plants are susceptible to damage from extended periods of saturation.

May 26, 2003 - Filed Under: Catfish

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- For more than two decades, catfish producers across the Southeast have used Mississippi State University-produced software to help manage their operations. The latest version, Fishy 2003 Version 4.0, is now available through Catfish Farmers of America.

"A licensure agreement between Mississippi State and Catfish Farmers of America to market Fishy 4.0 was signed in April," said Fishy programer and MSU professor of agricultural economics Wallace Killcreas. "So far, farmers owning more than 24,000 water acres have bought one-year licenses."

May 26, 2003 - Filed Under: Community

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi teachers can learn valuable financial skills to pass along to their students during the Personal Financial Literacy Teacher Conference July 9-11 at Mississippi State University.

Continuing education units are also available for teachers who qualify. The additional cost for 1.2 CEUs is $20.

The early-bird registration fee of $40 ends June 30, so participants are encouraged to register immediately by calling their local Extension office.

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