Feature Story

JACKSON -- Mississippi State University officials unveiled their plan in early June to direct the action of the university's agriculture and forestry division in the coming years.

Speaking at the Agriculture and Forestry Summit 2000 in Jackson, MSU President Malcolm Portera and Vice President Charles Lee spelled out the course of action. The goal is to improve Mississippi's future by increasing wealth generated by what the state produces from the land and from new industry that is likely to emerge from recent developments in the life sciences.

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Selecting more dairy products from the menu may be the best way to increase calcium in the body and protect bones from the weakening and crippling effects of osteoporosis.

"Calcium consumption and absorption are crucial in combating osteoporosis. Otherwise the body compensates by robbing Peter to pay Paul," said Melissa Mixon, a human nutrition specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most of the state's crops need more water, but vegetable producing counties in southeast Mississippi are among the driest.

"Even the vegetable crops with irrigation are struggling. The systems just aren't set up to meet this much demand," said David Nagel, horticulture specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

The horticulturist said most systems are set up to deliver about 1 inch of drip irrigation per week. Watermelons are in their highest water-demand period and need 2 ´ (two and one-half) inches per week.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University dedicated a miniature cotton gin in late May that will help both students and researchers in their study of cotton.

The fully-operational machine has clear plexiglass sides that allow viewers to watch the flow of cotton through the foot- wide gin. The cotton gin lacks a drier on the front and a press on the back to be like a commercial gin facility. It is housed in one room of the Pace Seed Lab.

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The South's hot, humid weather is a battle for some homeowners, but there are ways to beat the Mississippi heat.

"The temperature battle is easier to win when the heat is prevented from entering the home, as opposed to attempting to cool it once it is inside," said Frances Graham, housing specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "After the heat is inside the walls, fans or air conditioners fight the battle."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Internet changed the way many farmers do business as this spring, seeds and farm chemicals were offered for sale online.

Robert McCarty, state entomologist and director of the Bureau of Plant Industry located at Mississippi State University, said this planting season was the first one where farm inputs were available online.

"This was a whole new era," McCarty said. "There are companies springing up regularly to offer pesticides, fertilizers, seeds and other farm-related supplies online."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Growers are just completing their part of the soybean planting process, and now it's Mother Nature's turn.

Tom Jones, agricultural economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the weather forecasts are making the soybean market more volatile than normal as predictions range from adequate moisture to severe drought conditions for this season.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- High school graduation is an important rite of passage in the journey away from parental control, but parents still can play vital roles by being available to provide support and guidance.

"Many career and future education choices are made as early as eighth grade when vocational or college class choices are made," said Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The phrase "love is in the air" takes on a new meaning each spring and fall as love bug swarms take flight in South Mississippi.

Known scientifically as Biblonidae diptera, love bugs are members of the fly family. These black insects have a brownish-colored head and thorax, antennas and compound eyes. They may be most easily recognized by the smudge they leave on the front of automobiles.

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Summertime is a traditional season for outdoor celebrations and reunions, but those enjoyable occasions can turn sour if foodborne illness shows up as the ultimate unwanted guest.

About 7 million Americans suffer from food poisoning each year, but 85 percent of those cases could be avoided with proper handling of food.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Thrips are the only ones having a field day in Mississippi's cotton as the mild winter and dry, windy conditions have growers scouring their crops and the skies for relief.

Blake Layton, cotton entomologist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said thrips are more abundant than normal, but in numbers similar to last year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When parents and coaches set good examples, team sports do more for kids than teach them the rules of the game and get them in shape.

Playing on a team is one of the best ways for children to learn life lessons as they see responsibility, respect, fairness and sportsmanship modeled. Coaches are in the unique position to mold their athletes' character on and off the playing field, and parents on the sidelines can reinforce these positive messages.

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mosquitoes may be a summertime nuisance to people, but their threat of transmitting heartworms to dogs is year round in Mississippi.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Normally, hay growers do not get nervous about a drought until July, but this is not likely to be a normal year.

The last soaking rain is a vague memory for most growers and by mid-May, conditions were more like July.

By Rebekah Ray

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Seaweed may be an anomaly in North Mississippi, but animal researchers at the Prairie Research Unit in Monroe County are using this marine algae to improve production of the state's beef cattle.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When Mississippians need information, the Extension Service is ready with a variety of tools to get the facts into their hands.

When personal knowledge falls short, they can turn to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Extension is the arm of the state's land-grant institution responsible for taking the knowledge of the university to the people of the state. It does this through agents in each county, short courses, field days, demonstrations, workshops and Internet resources.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Late freezes and a predicted light pecan crop are dampening prospects for Mississippi's fruit and nut growers, but growers haven't given up on the year.

Freddie Rasberry, horticulture specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said last year had the potential of being the state's best pecan year since the 1994 ice storm caused extensive damage to Delta orchards. Because pecans ordinarily are alternate bearing fruit, bumper crops are often followed the next year by much smaller harvests.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Handing over a portion of profits may seem like bad business, but Mississippi farmers use checkoff programs to promote success in the future.

Checkoff programs are a form of self-tax that require producers by law to set aside a certain portion from each unit sold. This money is collected by the governing board and distributed for industry research and promotion.

By Suzanne Berry

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Milk. It does a body good, especially a dairy calf's body.

Recently completed research at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station's Coastal Plain Branch in Newton has shown that immunity levels of newborn dairy calves that were tube-fed colostrum at birth were higher than those that nursed their mothers.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Grass, something Mississippi's climate is well-suited for growing, has become a serious cash crop to turf producers taking advantage of booming population centers.