News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A 66-year-old piece of forestry equipment on display at Mississippi State University is being restored by the company that built it.

The Logger’s Dream is a 1948 log loader manufactured by Louisville, Mississippi-based Taylor Machine Works. The equipment has been on display at the biennial Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show at the university’s John W. Starr Memorial Forest since 2005.

J. D. Massey of Starkville was the loader’s original owner and operator. His son Paul donated the loader to the equipment show.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cancer kills nearly 600,000 Americans each year, and a team of researchers at Mississippi State University is developing new and better ways of fighting back.

Dr. Cody Coyne, professor of molecular pharmacology and immunology in the Department of Basic Sciences at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, and his team of scientists are researching more effective ways to kill cancer cells.

While his work is incredibly complex, he has a simple analogy.

JACKSON -- Although most of the state’s soybeans have been planted, Mississippi famers will have to deal with the consequences of this spring’s wet weather for the rest of the growing season.

“We never want to wish away a rain in June,” said Trent Irby, Mississippi State University Extension Service soybean specialist. “But growers are and will continue to experience some issues because of the excess rain we’ve had.”

Irby estimates the state’s largest row crop is 90 percent planted, and some fields are already in the reproductive stage.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A camera that began as a cool gadget for photographing bucks and monitoring food plots or game trails has become an important survey instrument for managing deer populations.

White-tailed deer management involves more than managing habitats and planting supplemental food plots. Proper deer management requires managing populations as well. Deer managers can use game cameras to estimate deer population characteristics and develop good harvest management strategies. This will help maintain a healthy and productive deer herd.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service is taking steps to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities involving all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs.

Larry Alexander, 4-H youth development specialist with the MSU Extension Service, said national ATV Safety Week, June 8-15, is the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of properly using these powerful vehicles.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Area forage and livestock producers are invited to the Broadhead Cattle Farm July 8 for a half-day program on forage issues.

The Simpson County Forage Field Day is from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the farm in Mendenhall. It is sponsored by the MSU Extension Service Forage Program, the Simpson County Extension office and the Simpson County Soil and Water Conservation District.

STONEVILLE -- Researchers at the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center believe a new research project can help farmers reduce their number of pesticide applications without reducing peanut yield.

Jeff Gore, an Extension entomologist and assistant research professor with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at the MSU Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, said Mississippi peanut producers soon will have pesticide recommendations tailored specifically to the local climate.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- As graduates transition from enrollment to employment, they face challenges in the workplace that can leave them asking, “Now what?”

Leslie Corey, a Mississippi State University human resources professional, said learning does not stop once the caps and gowns are issued.

“One of the best things you can do for your job is continue to learn,” Corey said. “A willingness to learn helps you be professional, which is essential for your success.”

Now that the truly hot days of summer have arrived, vitex is ready to show its colors. This is one of the few plants that make Mississippi gardeners and nongardeners alike stop and take notice.

Many people call with questions about the beautiful, blue flowering shrubs we have at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. Whenever I need to take a little break, the gorgeous purplish-blue flowers of the vitex right outside my window provide an ideal location.

STONEVILLE -- With Mississippi’s rice crop about two weeks later than normal, growers will have narrow windows of opportunity to perform necessary management as it grows.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated 92 percent of rice was planted by June 1. Seventy-four percent of the crop that has emerged was in good to excellent condition.

Bobby Golden, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station agronomist in Stoneville, said the late planting and heavy rains in late May are making management a challenge.

By Daryl Jones
Natural Resource Enterprises
MSU Extension Service

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Outdoor recreation in Mississippi provides income not only for those who own the land, but also for the state as a whole.

That’s because economic impact is not limited to the first person who receives money for goods or services. Every dollar spent has direct effects, but it also has indirect and induced effects.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A program that provides equine therapy to children and adults with special needs recently received special recognition from an international organization.

The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International) accredited the Mississippi State University Extension Service’s Elizabeth A. Howard 4-H Therapeutic Riding and Activity Center (TRAC).

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Area forage and livestock producers are invited to Mississippi State University July 10 for half-day program on warm-season forage production.

Registration for the Warm-Season Forage Tour begins at 8:30 a.m., and the tour lasts from 9 a.m. to noon at the Henry H. Leveck Animal Research Farm at MSU. It is sponsored by the MSU Extension Service Forage Program and the Oktibbeha County Extension office.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A July 17 workshop in Hattiesburg will help landowners recognize the income-generating potential of using their land in natural resource enterprises.

The Mississippi Forestry Commission, the U.S. Forest Service and the MSU Extension Service are offering the Natural Resources Enterprise Advanced Workshop. The event will be held at the Forrest County Extension Office on July 17 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A woodpecker may not make a good football mascot, but Mississippi State University researchers think this bird’s shock-absorbing beak may help them design a better football helmet.

Lakiesha Williams, assistant professor of agriculture and biological engineering in the university’s Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, led the study of the woodpecker’s beak. Researchers found that the shock a woodpecker absorbs while pecking is typically 10 times greater than anything a football player is likely to experience.

STONEVILLE -- Researchers will provide farmers and consultants with insight into crop studies and listen to ideas for future projects during the June 17 field day at the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center.

Corn, cotton, peanuts and soybeans will be the focus of this event, which begins with registration at 10 a.m. at the Charles W. Capps Building and is followed by a sponsored lunch at noon. Farmers registered for the field day will be eligible for door prices during the meal. Vendors will have displays and be available to answer questions.

GOODMAN -- Farmers and gardeners can learn how to control insects, weeds and diseases at the Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production Demonstration Farm field day on June 20.

Blake Layton, an entomologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, will explain how to identify, monitor and control insect pests.

Alan Henn, an Extension plant pathologist and research professor with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, will tell how to identify and manage weeds and diseases.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University and 11 other land-grant universities recently joined a national effort to improve water quality in one of the nation’s most significant watersheds.

The Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Task Force partnered with nongovernmental agencies for the first time when it invited university scientists and Extension specialists to share their research findings and ideas for reducing water pollution.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When Mississippi State University senior Will Gentry went to Africa in 2013 for a short visit to expand his academic horizons, he ended up staying longer and working to conserve popular big-game animals.

Last month, I wrote about getting mom the perfect Mother’s Day rose. With Father’s Day just a couple of weeks away, it’s gift time again. I’ve always enjoyed getting flowers as a gift, and I think a lot of other dads appreciate them as well.

But what do dads really want for Father’s Day, besides a chance to barbeque and watch the finish of the U.S. Open? Tools! As Scotty from Star Trek always said, “You need the right tool for the right job.” Nowhere is this truer than in the garden.