News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- 4-H'ers trying to gain educational extracurricular experience while in high school have the opportunity in March to work in Mississippi government.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H program and the Center for Governmental Training and Technology are recruiting four youth to serve as legislative pages March 14-18. The youth will serve either in the state Senate or House of Representatives, or in the governor, lieutenant governor or other executive branch offices.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Once sold to promote the use of tractors, farm toys are popular collectibles for young and old alike. An upcoming farm toy show in Starkville will attract people with recent experience and others with fond memories of treasured possessions from long ago.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most households with children have a new pile of toys from the holidays, but specialists warn that not all toys are good for kids.

Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said ideally, toys entertain and promote creative, non-violent play in youth. The commercialization of play has moved the toy industry from putting children first to promoting items because of their ability to generate revenues.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new antibiotic has the potential to treat one of the most costly diseases in Mississippi's $287 million catfish industry.

Pat Gaunt, a veterinary toxicologist with Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, began studying the use of florfenicol to treat enteric septicemia, or ESC, in U.S. catfish more than five years ago. That process is nearing an end as the Food and Drug Administration considers final approval of the drug.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

At the Midsouth Greenhouse Growers Conference, a speaker told of a recent rose introduction that was surprising everyone with its non-stop blooming and apparent tolerance, if not resistance, to the cursed black spot. What was this knock-out rose? It was Knock Out, a 2000 All-America Rose Selections winner.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

When choosing plants for borders this spring, strive to vary heights and leaf textures, and don't overlook plants with gray foliage.

In a gardening world dominated by a sea of green, well-placed pockets of plants with silver and gray leaves is ever so striking. We have choices here from perennials, herbs and even shrubs.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

I recently attended a meeting in Lucedale at one of the nurseries that produce woody ornamentals. As I was walking across the field, I noticed some beautiful conifers with glowing golden foliage.

These gold, Christmas tree-shaped plants are known botanically as Chamaecyparis obtusa, or false cypress. The variety that is becoming more popular in the southeast is Crippsii.

By Bonnie Coblentz

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Four major Mississippi crops set production records in 2004, but it took the strength of poultry's $2 billion year to push the state's estimated agriculture value to a record $5.5 billion.

The state's overall value of production is expected to rise 3 percent from the record $5.3 billion set in 2003. Poultry was the big winner, gaining nearly 26 percent to post its new record.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Poultry topped the $2 billion mark in 2004 as record prices combined with higher production for the state's No. 1 commodity.

Poultry set a new record for the estimated value of production, increasing by nearly 26 percent - more than $400 million - to $2.01 billion. Broilers saw a 30 percent increase and chickens a 27 percent increase, but eggs dropped 8 percent in estimated farm-gate value.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A wet summer kept loggers out of the woods and helped the 2004 timber harvest increase in value for the second consecutive year.

The state's No. 2 agricultural commodity is expected to have a 2004 value of production of about $1.1 billion, up 1.5 percent from last year's value. Poultry and timber have retained their No. 1 and 2 spots since the mid-1990s.

Debbie Gaddis, a forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said heavy rains in June, July and August contributed to increased timber prices.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Superior varieties, few pests and cooperative weather helped the 2004 cotton crop exceed last year's record-setting yields.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts the 2004 state average yield to be 1,000 pounds of lint per acre, up from 932 pounds per acre in 2003. Mississippi producers planted 1.1 million acres of cotton in 2004 and harvested 1.09 million acres.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Any mention of champions at this time of the year and everyone thinks about the Orange Bowl or some other football game. But the All-America Rose Selections Committee names champions every year, and they are not determined on a football field in Miami or even Pasadena.

The nonprofit All-America Rose Selections Committee looks for roses with traits like striking color, a profuse bloom, unparalleled disease resistance or an unbelievably sweet fragrance.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Year's end causes many people to look ahead to what they want to do in the new year, but Mississippi State University specialists encourage Mississippians to also look back to tie up any loose ends.

Financial matters may be the most important. Susan Cosgrove, Extension area family resource management agent in Newton County, said December and January are perfect times to pull together documentation for income tax filings.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When her little sister died shortly after being diagnosed with breast cancer, grief wasn't the only emotion Peggy Crawford felt.

"My younger sister, Marsha, died at 45 years old, within 50 weeks of learning she had breast cancer. That really ticked me off," Crawford said. Marsha left an 8-year-old daughter behind.

Instead of remaining angry, Crawford started BATTLE, an acronym for Breast cancer Awareness To Teach Ladies Early detection.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rural schools and communities in America share an important and often fragile relationship, according to a special report recently released by the Southern Rural Development Center.

"The Role of Education: Promoting the Economic and Social Vitality of Rural America" does not seek to provide definitive answers to the problems facing rural communities. Instead, the report calls attention to the areas in which progress can be made to reverse the trends of urbanization and resource massing that are so devastating to rural America.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Agricultural producers from across the region will descend on Cleveland Jan. 18 and 19 for the most recent information on soybean rust, international cotton trade issues and other crop concerns during the 32nd annual Delta Ag Expo.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

To be perfectly honest, decorating for Christmas has never been high on my list. I know my family would like me to have a session with Dr. Laura, but then all of you would recognize my voice, which the TV crew already says is an embarrassment.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Now is the time to prepare land for pine tree planting, and a new tax law change will affect landowners with both small and large acreage.

Debbie Gaddis, a forest taxation specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said tax incentives for planting pine trees changed in October. In general, this change is beneficial to landowners with large acreage and unfavorable for small landowners.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Lulu's parentage was questionable -- part Labrador, part collie ... maybe. What was certain was the bond she shared with Delta farmer Malcolm Mabry Jr.

Fifteen years ago, Mabry and neighbor David Cook found Lulu near the edge of a wheat field on Mabry's farm near Dublin in Coahoma County. The abandoned pup was cold and frightened. Luckily for her, she was too weak to run away.

Mabry, a former state lawmaker, took the dog home, bathed her and provided a meal of warm milk and bread. That was the beginning of a 15-year relationship.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The holiday season offers many opportunities for parents to teach their children the benefits of giving as well as receiving.

"The holiday season is a great time to step back and really focus on how you and your family can help those in need. When children see parents helping others and getting joy out of doing so, they learn the season is not all about getting presents," said Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.