News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Losing weight and getting in shape are among the most common New Year’s resolutions, so it is no surprise that many health-oriented organizations recognize January as National Fat-Free Living Month.

Literally living fat-free, however, is impossible, said Brent Fountain, associate professor of human nutrition with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. A certain amount of fat is needed, as it is a primary source of energy and cushions organs and tissues in the body to protect them, he said.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An unusual new agricultural pest has made its way throughout most of the state, and while its impact on soybeans has been low, it is causing trouble in homes.

The kudzu bug is an invasive species from Asia that arrived in Atlanta, most likely at the airport. First found in Georgia in 2009, the pest rapidly spread across the entire Southeast and has made it as far as Arkansas and Louisiana.

Winter is a good time to examine landscape plants. With many of the deciduous plants dropping their leaves, it is easy to see defects and other problems, especially strange things growing on the landscape plants.

Extension offices all across Mississippi are going to be receiving calls from concerned homeowners about a moldy-looking, gray-green stuff on their plants. The cause for the concern 99 percent of the time is an organism called lichen.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- According to the National Christmas Tree Association, American consumers purchase nearly 30 million real trees annually from one of more than 15,000 Christmas tree farms. Real-tree enthusiasts cite three main reasons for their yearly choice: tradition, fresh pine scent and appearance.

Selecting a real tree is also an environmentally friendly choice. Real Christmas trees are 100 percent biodegradable and can be recycled in a variety of ways.

The National Christmas Tree Association offers these little-known facts about real trees:

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Seven Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H members received national attention for their photographs of plant-related subjects at the 2014 National Junior Horticulture Association photography contest this fall.

Jonah Holland of Tishomingo County received Overall Best of Show and Grand National Awards for his image titled “Spiny Soul.” He also was awarded a Grand National Award for his “Lone Leaf” image.

Evan Kirkpatrick of Jasper County received a Grand National Award for his image, “Sunflowers.”

POPLARVILLE -- Mississippi blueberry growers will have an opportunity next month to hear from seven top statewide researchers on various topics related to crop production.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service and the Gulf South Blueberry Growers Association, will host the educational workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Forrest County Extension Office, located at 952 Sullivan Drive in Hattiesburg.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Early Years Network: Special Needs program is hosting free Developmental Screening Day events in three locations around the state in January.

Children 6 months to 5 years of age will be checked for age-specific physical and educational milestones by a team of early childhood specialists with the network’s Special Needs program. If a parent, physician, child-care provider or pre-K teacher has concerns about a child’s development, this event will help.

Screenings will take place from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at each site.

GOODMAN -- Organizers have planned a variety of relevant workshops in 2015 for farmers and home gardeners as part of a year-long series of monthly field days at the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture Production Farm near Goodman.

Experts from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Alcorn State University and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will provide information and hands-on demonstrations at the first field day Jan. 16.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Wildlife groups are partnering to promote hunting and firearm safety among Mississippi youths through squirrel hunts at seven sites across the state next month.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service will join the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to host the hunts on Feb. 7.

Because we haven’t yet had much of what you would call winter weather in Mississippi, we’re seeing some earlier-than-normal garden activity.

I thought the one cold snap we had in December put the landscape to bed for the season, but since then, the bananas, elephant ears and canna have started pushing new growth in my coastal landscape. I know this is probably short lived, but I’m enjoying it nonetheless.

By Adam Rohnke
Urban Wildlife Specialist
MSU Extension Service

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Funding and manpower are the most common limiting factors in conducting research. These factors are especially limiting for wildlife and fisheries research projects, which cover vast geographic areas, involve secretive animals and generate large quantities of information.

In the cold and dreary winter months, when color in the landscape can seem like an unachievable goal, gardeners need to rely on plants with features other than flowers to brighten the areas around our homes.

Last week, I shared my thoughts on the landscape potential of yaupon holly. This week, I want to tell you about another red-berried beauty. Pyracantha is a great choice for the home landscape, as its colorful berries can add beauty and interest to any winter landscape.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- As the days get colder and food sources for wildlife become scarce, people worry about wild animals being able to survive the winter without supplemental feeding.

Even in the relatively mild Mississippi winters, wildlife food sources go dormant and temperatures can dip below freezing -- especially at night.

Winter is a challenging time in the landscape and garden. We’re limited in annual color options, and even my old favorites, pansies, may not be enough. That’s why we need to learn to rely on the backdrop of the summer, our landscape shrubs.

It seems these plants realize this is the season for them to step up and carry some of the load. You could call winter the berry season, as these red, colorful fruit are on display.

TYLERTOWN -- Mississippi State University and Louisiana State University will celebrate 25 years of bringing management and marketing information to dairy producers in early January.

The 25th annual Mississippi-Louisiana Dairy Management Conference will be Jan. 8 at the Southwest Events Center in Tylertown. The MSU Extension Service and the LSU AgCenter plan and conduct this annual event to meet the educational needs of dairy farmers in both states.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University scientists strive to establish sustainable best practices in the application of slack wax for the wood composites industry.

Slack wax is a waterproofing agent used in the production of composites, including particle board, oriented strand board, fiberboard and laminated strained lumber. The wax improves the dimensional stability of composites, thus improving performance.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A production bump has helped forestry maintain its status as Mississippi’s second largest agricultural commodity.

James Henderson, associate forestry professor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, estimated the state’s 2014 harvest value was $1.28 billion, which represents a 13.8 percent increase from the $1.13 billion in production reported in 2013.

Since 2009, the least productive year since the recession started, the state’s forest harvest value has increased 48 percent.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- After some people open Christmas presents, they might find themselves the recipients of new devices they would have avoided but now feel compelled to use.

Learning how to navigate such a device -- whether it is a smartphone, tablet, digital media player or e-reader -- can seem a daunting task to those who are not technologically savvy. Resolving to implement a new gift into routine activities in 2015 can be an easy first step toward getting the most out of that new gadget.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Despite low prices for many commodities, the overall projected totals for Mississippi’s crop values should top $7 billion for the third straight year and essentially match the record set in 2013.

John Michael Riley, agricultural economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said his preliminary estimate of 2014’s agricultural production values, excluding government payments, is over $7.7 billion.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A potentially record-setting production year made soybeans a billion dollar crop and Mississippi’s third-largest agricultural commodity in 2014.

Trent Irby, soybean specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said soybeans are expected to yield a record average of 52 bushels an acre.