News From 2007

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Mixed planters are featured prominently at shopping malls and office buildings, and consumers place glorious mixed containers and baskets on their porches, patios and decks. Other than vibrant color, a common thread tying them together is the incorporation of ornamental grass.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Efforts to better serve the health of residents of the Mississippi Delta have turned to sixth and seventh grade students through the Delta Futures project.

Delta Futures is an overnight camp to introduce participating middle school children to careers in health care. The weekend event will be held April 20-21 at Camp Lake Stephens in Oxford and is directed through the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new endowed scholarship at Mississippi State University honors an agricultural economist with more than 40 years of service to the university and the state.

The Robert L. Williams Endowed Scholarship in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recognizes the career and dedication to Mississippi agriculture of the MSU economist.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- For more than two decades, Mississippi State University’s veterinary college has welcomed thousands of school children to its annual open house, but people of all ages will enjoy the 2007 event.

MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine will open its doors from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on April 13 and 14 for the 23rd annual open house at the Wise Center, located on the south side of campus off Spring Street.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Spring is just around the corner, and this is a good time for gardeners to make plans to break the horizontal plane in their 2007 landscapes.

Most everyone grows round flowers like the ones we first encountered as children. A bed of round flowers offers a calming continuity to the garden, which can be comforting after a hard, stressful week.

By Robert H. Wells
Delta Research and Extension Center

STONEVILE -- Research has determined a method to control one of the most common and troublesome weeds of Mississippi rice production -- Amazon sprangletop.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Responding to the rapidly growing needs of the state’s horse industry, Mississippi State University has a new equine specialist in place to educate and support owners and potential owners.

Preston Buff joined MSU’s animal and dairy science faculty in January.

Terry Kiser, animal and dairy sciences department head, said the addition of Buff to the faculty will greatly expand the university’s service to horse owners.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi’s annual Water Resources Research Conference is set for April 24-25 at the Hilton Hotel in Jackson.

Eight sessions will cover topics including Delta groundwater, computer modeling, invasive plant species, agriculture, sedimentation, wastewater and water treatment, surface water quality, flooding and water supply. 

The two-day conference will feature more than 36 presentations, a large poster session, and nine national and regional water resource leaders addressing timely water issues facing the state and nation. 

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Mention the word “hibiscus” and thoughts probably go immediately to those fancy tropical treasures visible on exotic island vacations. Most mental pictures of hibiscus do not include small shrubs with fiery red leaves like a Japanese maple. That may be about to change, thanks to Maple Sugar and Haight Ashbury.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Livestock producers saw it coming, but the hay shortage is forcing some tough decisions that may have long-term repercussions on the health, performance and profitability of their animals.

Jane Parish, beef cattle specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said surplus hay is difficult to find in the state, and the traditional spring forage flush is not yet available. She receives calls daily from producers looking for more hay.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Corn has become a very attractive crop in Mississippi and nationwide, thanks mostly to the growing demand for corn-derived ethanol, an alternative fuel.

Erick Larson, grain crops agronomist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said producers have tremendous interest in planting corn this season.

“Prices are approaching twice the long-term average,” Larson said, and the state may have the largest corn crop it has had in more than 40 years.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- It is a cold January morning, the sun is just breaking through the trees, birds are chirping, and Marvell Howard sits in his favorite tree stand; about 500 yards away, his teenage son occupies his own tree stand. 

Both father and son hope to get a shot at elusive white-tailed deer near their Oktibbeha County home.

Howard's father introduced him to rabbit hunting when he was 7 years old.  He in-turn introduced his son to hunting at the age of 7. 

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Maracas and Veranda are a couple of great new shade plants coming to Mississippi this spring. If you don't see them at any of the spring garden shows, ask for them at the local garden center, so you can be the first to have them in your neighborhood.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A March 1 Safety and Health Summit in Stoneville will highlight some of the concerns unique to Mississippians living in rural areas.

The event is targeting farmers, farm workers, health-care professionals and others with special concerns about health-care issues in their region.

By Robert H. Wells
Delta Research and Extension Center

STONEVILLE -- Research is proving what rice growers have suspected for years -- that a low rate of nitrogen applied to rice in the one- to three-leaf growth stage has a positive effect on production.

JACKSON -- Records are made to be broken, but at the 38th annual Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions, they were shattered.

Dean Jousan, 4-H livestock specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said six records were set at Thursday's sale. Since the sale began in 1970, buyers have paid more than $3.5 million for the champion and reserve champion market animals exhibited at the Dixie National by Mississippi's 4-H and FFA youth.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Flying low across the water, looking for a good meal, the black-crowned night heron quickly caught the attention of Mississippi catfish producers.

Farmers first noticed the 22- to 28-inch, stocky-bodied bird in the spring of 2004. With its black cap, gray wings and red eyes, the bird concerned producers because it appeared to prefer feeding on 6- to 7-inch catfish fingerlings.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Greenhouse tomato growers and people with an interest in this business should mark their calendars for the 17th annual greenhouse tomato short course to be held in Raymond March 6-9.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

We are in the dead of winter, but that does not mean gardens, patios, porches or decks have to be void of color. Primulas can provide the visual treat you crave.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A one-day workshop for farmers, landowners and resource managers will provide the tools to start and manage a natural resource enterprise. 

The March 20 event will begin at 8 a.m. at Cato Baptist Church in southern Rankin County. Following lunch, the afternoon session will be located on and hosted by Springwater Ranch, which is 15 minutes southeast from downtown Brandon. Activities will conclude about 4 p.m.