News

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The shorter days of the late summer or early fall can bring a Mexican fiesta to gardens around the state, and the showiest displays are those with the tall violet-to-purple spikes of the Mexican bush sage, Salvia leucantha.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Generous summer rains and moderate temperatures helped many Mississippi dryland corn fields produce Midwest-size yields, but other fields could not turn off the faucet and suffered for it.

Erick Larson, grain crops agronomist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the state's corn fields should produce a new record average, which is becoming an every-other-year tradition. Records were set in 1997, 1999 and 2001, and were 107, 117 and 130 bushels per acre, respectively.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippians have great ideas for innovative products, and Mississippi State University helps make those business dreams a reality.

From manufacturers of hair bows and goat milk soap to billion-dollar furniture manufacturers, no job is too small -- or too big -- for the experts at MSU's Food & Fiber Center.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- In good times and in bad, those trying to gain employment in Mississippi have an ally in the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

The state had a 7.2 percent unemployment rate in July. That figure in recent years has hovered between 5 and 6 percent, but the national recession is being felt statewide. Some large companies have shut down, and many other businesses have laid off workers in an effort to curb expenses and remain profitable.

MISSISSIPPI STATE --"Lions and tigers and bears, oh my," Dorothy exclaimed in the "Wizard of Oz." While there are no lions, tigers or bears, one of Dorothy's traveling companions would feel right at home at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona.

The center's Scarecrow Trail opened to the public Sept. 20 and will remain open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 17. The trail winds through flower gardens filled with roses, irises and other flowers, and landscape plants. More than 40 scarecrows are strategically located along the garden paths.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Foresters and landowners can learn about tax issues ranging from deducting expenses to taking reforestation credits during upcoming short courses offered across the state this fall.

Debbie Gaddis, forestry tax specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, will teach the six-hour sessions for Webster, Forrest, Lamar, Yalobusha, Jackson, Jasper, Smith, Newton and Adams counties. Foresters and landowners from other counties are invited to attend at the most convenient location.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new network is available to let owners of Mississippi microenterprises know they are not alone and to offer them assistance as they grow.

The Mississippi Micro-Enterprise Association Network consists of service providers to microenterprises. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is a charter member of this group that focuses on promoting job creation through microenterprise.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- North Delta cotton growers are hoping that the third time is the charm as they prepare another referendum this season to continue their participation in the regionwide boll weevil eradication program.

The grower-requested third referendum will take place from Sept. 29 through Oct. 10. The local Farm Service Agency offices will count the results on Oct. 17.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The crisp, 58-degree mornings turn my thoughts to the planting season that is upon us. Once the summer heat lifts, a new gardening enthusiasm gets into the air, almost as much as during the spring.

During a program in Oxford last spring, I saw some unbelievable beds of pansies and tulips that I wish the entire state could have seen. Mississippians can grow tulips to rival anyone -- we simply treat them as annuals.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An invasive weed with no known value has made its way across half the state and shows no signs of letting up.

Cogongrass competes with desirable grasses and wins the battle for nutrients, but it is a very poor forage. Mississippians are learning the hard way that it is very difficult to keep this grass at bay.

John Byrd, Extension weed scientist with Mississippi State University, said the weed invades low-maintenance areas or those not in cultivation. It out-competes other grasses, yet provides nothing of value.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A non-native weed is threatening state roadsides, pastures and forests, and while it may not spread as fast as kudzu, it is dangerously invasive.

Cogongrass is an aggressive warm-season, perennial grass that is difficult to control. It is native to southeast Asia and was accidentally introduced to the United States in 1911 at Grand Bay, Ala. It spread to other states in the 1920s as Experiment Stations evaluated it as a potential forage crop in Mississippi, Florida and Alabama.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Poultry and egg prices have rebounded from the challenges of 2002 and are soaring into the fall in much better shape than they were last year.

Tim Chamblee, poultry management researcher with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said increased consumer demand and reduced numbers of chickens have combined to boost prices for broilers and eggs.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Structural construction on Mississippi's long-awaited 4-H museum is officially under way.

The July 20, 2002, groundbreaking for the Pete Frierson Mississippi 4-H Museum in Jackson began phase one of the project. During this time, organizers raised funds and prepared for the initial construction of the museum.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The catfish industry's cash-strapped producers are set to receive their first-ever federal disaster assistance, and it couldn't come soon enough.

Feed accounts for half the cost of raising catfish and was $220 per ton in Mississippi in 2002. Catfish prices are at the lowest levels in 20 years and producers are finding themselves in financial stress.

MISSISSIPPI STATE --When Marsha Rosanelli heard she had been accepted into veterinary school at Mississippi State University, she had more to think about than classes and homework -- she was about to have a baby.

As a testament to the class's commitment to helping every student succeed, Rosanelli's fellow classmates are making sure she gets her class notes, and they also threw her a surprise baby shower. Rosanelli's daughter was born Aug. 15. Veterinary classes started July 31.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Just about anyone with a yard knows the frustration of trying to eliminate fire ant colonies, and now is the time of year to fight the battle again.

Making a broadcast application of an effective fire ant bait between Labor Day and first frost is the best way to get rid of existing colonies and prevent many of next spring's mounds.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rick Parsons of Vance is Mississippi's Farmer of the Year and the state's nominee for the 2003 southeastern award during the 26th annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition in Moultrie, Ga.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service chose Parsons for the honor because of his exemplary management skills with Fewell Planting Co. The farming operation covers 9,421 acres in Quitman and Tallahatchie counties, including 3,892 acres of irrigated corn that produces 176.5 bushels per acre.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Third-graders in schools across the state will receive fun flying discs, along with a valuable nutrition lesson, in observance of National Eat-5-a-Day Month in September.

Representatives from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education and Family Nutrition programs with Mississippi State University's Extension Service will hand out almost 32,000 of the popular plastic throwing disc toys on Sept. 30. On the discs is the 5-a-Day Program logo.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Sonrise was first, then came Samson (the perfect fall plant), and now Sonset is probably the prettiest lantana ever created. These are precious gifts from a divine creator, and developer Jim Covington will quickly give the glory where it is due.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The only numbers looking good to Mississippi catfish producers this year are the disaster payment credits they have at the feed mill.

The supply of catfish is large, current prices are at break-even levels or lower than the cost of production, feed prices are inching up, and current acreage and production are down in Mississippi. But state catfish farmers are starting to receive their portion of the $20 million earmarked for disaster relief in Mississippi.