Feature Story from 1999

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many kind-hearted people put feeders out in cold weather for birds, but these can turn deadly for the birds under unsanitary conditions.

Dean Stewart, wildlife specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the most important thing to ensure is that bird feeders keep the feed dry.

"If feed gets wet, grain can mold and develop funguses that can kill small birds and even harm animals as large as quail and turkeys," Stewart said. "The problem is more pronounced in small birds such as songbirds."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Honor Mississippi's product accomplishments by selecting gifts made in the state for anyone on your gift list.

"Mississippi's entrepreneurial spirit has always been strong, and it's growing stronger every day," said Ann Sansing of Mississippi State University's Extension Service's Food and Fiber Center. "With specialty food manufacturers in 37 Mississippi counties, there is something for everyone when it comes to gift buying."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippians are getting a short course in constitutional law thanks to the as-yet-unresolved governor's race.

Ronnie Musgrove narrowly won more votes in the Nov. 2 general election than did Mike Parker, but he is not the governor-elect. Neither man won a majority of the popular votes cast and with the final tally not yet in, it looks as if neither will win a majority of the state's electoral votes.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A product needing a niche of its own may have secured a foothold in the hog industry as research is showing kenaf offers a way to reduce swine odors.

Dr. Tim Burcham, associate agricultural engineer with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, is testing a bio-reactor he developed to filter and biologically treat wastewater from hog production facilities.

The main goal of the research is odor reduction and wastewater treatment. Burcham's interest in the versatility of the kenaf plant spurred the development of this research.

By Laura Martin

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The health of thousands of Mississippians may be at risk when holiday hosts begin to serve rich foods and meals go on irregular schedules.

According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 240,000 Mississippians have diabetes. One-third of those don't know that they have the disease.

By Laura Martin

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippians have 240,000 reasons to recognize November as National Diabetes Month.

Known as the silent killer, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death by disease in the United States, claiming thousands of lives annually.

"People don't think it is as serious as it is," said Patricia Boyd, community development director with the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi.

By Rebekah Ray

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- For years the Mississippi Delta has been known for its production of both cotton and farm-raised catfish, but now the fish also swim in East Mississippi ponds as producers are realizing its economic potential.

No longer considered just Southern fare, catfish is the fifth most popular fish in America. In 1998, it was one of the top-five agricultural commodities in Mississippi and had a value-added production of more than $306 billion, up 15 percent from 1997.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Gardeners discouraged by drought this year can improve their chances next season by working in their gardens this fall.

Mississippi State University gardening specialists recommended mulching, fall bed preparation, soil testing, cover crops and continued watering to prepare gardens now for next spring.

Dr. David Nagel, vegetable specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said ground covers and advance bed preparation can make a difference in next spring's garden success.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Gardeners discouraged by drought this year can improve their chances next season by working in their gardens this fall.

Mississippi State University gardening specialists recommended mulching, fall bed preparation, soil testing, cover crops and continued watering to prepare gardens now for next spring.

Dr. David Nagel, vegetable specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said ground covers and advance bed preparation can make a difference in next spring's garden success.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The convenience plastic offers holiday shoppers can be a liability if the card is lost or the account number stolen.

Automated Teller Machine cards, debit cards and credit cards are extremely popular with shoppers, especially at the holiday season. Consumers need only produce their card, signature and sometimes a Personal Identification Number to access money in their account or on their credit line.

But if that card is lost or stolen, a thief needs only the same information to make the card work for them.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many shoppers try to avoid the holiday shopping rush by mail-ordering gifts, but while convenient at times, it can lead to more hassles.

Americans have always consumed goods through mail-order catalogs and with the popularity of the Internet, ordering merchandise has taken on a new dimension. A growing percentage of holiday shoppers are abandoning at least some shopping the old-fashioned way of standing in line, competing for items and handling objects before purchase.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's environment is the big winner as youth organizations across the state such as 4-H garner grant money from the Chevron Companies.

By Rebekah Ray

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Catfish is not a new agricultural commodity to Mississippi, but research is underway on a new variety that may replace channel catfish as king of the farm ponds.

As a relatively new and growing industry in East Mississippi, catfish has emerged as a viable economic entity in the hilly Blackland Prairie region of the state. For the last 10 years, East Mississippi production has been primarily in Kemper, Noxubee, Lowndes, Clay, Monroe and Chickasaw counties, but there were no local suppliers of fingerlings.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The increasing value of land makes it financially harder than ever for farmers trying to survive bad crop years or farmers trying to get into the business.

Real estate prices in the South have historically been tied to returns from row crop agriculture, but with the South's economic diversification and urbanization, agriculture is just one of many factors influencing land values. With fewer acres available for farming, prices are rising even on less fertile farmland.

By Rebekah Ray

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Research at Mississippi State University is developing new ways to apply space-age technologies to the state's agriculture in hopes of increasing efficiency and yields.

This research is being conducted by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station through the Advanced Spatial Technologies for Agriculture and the Remote Sensing Technologies Center at MSU.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Plants can make memorable gifts for the hard-to-buy-for person on anyone's list this holiday season.

Unlike many other gifts, plants are easy to shop for, come in colors and sizes to please almost anyone, and can last for years with proper care.

Norman Winter, horticulture specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said plants make good planned or last-minute gifts.

By Laura Martin

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Starting a winter fire in a cold fireplace may present potential hazards for homeowners. As temperatures drop, the warmth of a fire may attract kids and may threaten birds who have made nests inside the chimney.

Dr. Frances Graham, a housing specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, offered a few safety tips when starting a fire at home.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's total value of farm and forest production in 1999 is expected to hold near the $5 billion mark despite depressed market prices and another challenging growing season for many of the state's crops.

Mississippi's total commodities, which include poultry, forestry, crops, catfish and livestock, have been estimated to have a market value of more than $4.6 billion for 1999, a decrease of about 2 percent from 1998. Increased government payments will bring the total gross receipts to just over $5 billion.

By Laura Martin

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's poultry industry held on to the state's top agricultural spot besting last year's record value despite lower prices and decreased exports.

Poultry, the state's largest crop, should reach an estimated 1999 value of $1.55 billion, topping last year's record of $1.53 billion. It is the first and only agricultural industry in the state to top $1.5 billion in farm value.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's forest industry dipped in 1999 after riding a wave of record highs in 11 of the last 12 years, but maintained its seventh year with a value in excess of a billion dollars.

Mississippi timber production has a 1999 estimated value of $1.33 billion, down almost 3 percent from 1998's all-time high of $1.36 billion. Despite the downturn, its value remains above 1997 levels. Forestry continues to hold the state's No. 2 spot in value, just behind poultry.