NEWTON -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station welcomed a plant materials specialist on June 16.

Brett Rushing is a native of Alabaster, Alabama. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Jacksonville State University and a master’s and doctoral degrees in agronomy from MSU.

Brett Rushing

Rushing will research native grasses and forages for livestock, concentrating on the needs of central Mississippi landowners and livestock producers. He also will study plant materials suitable for biomass production.

“My research trials in the next year will focus on grass establishment, weed control and forage quality and yield,” Rushing said. “This position allows me to combine my previous experience in research with the ability to directly impact the citizens of central Mississippi with Extension outreach. I look forward to working with clients in the region and understanding and addressing their production issues and concerns.”

Sherry Surrette, head of the Frank T. (Butch) Withers Jr. Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center, said Rushing is an asset to the area.

“Dr. Rushing has extensive training in forages, biomass crops and conservation plant species through his previous research and extension work at Mississippi State University,” Surrette said. “The livestock producers and landowners of central Mississippi will greatly benefit from his broad-based knowledge of forage and grazing systems. We are very excited to have him at the Coastal Plain Branch Experiment Station.”