News

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The past couple of weeks have been awesome at our office thanks to a group of native plants that has everyone inquiring about them. They are Virginia sweetspires, and we have them growing along a natural-looking creek bed lined with rocks.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many Mississippi fields are proof that "hope springs eternal" as soybean growers are planting early, aiming for strong yields in a year when prices offer little incentive.

Alan Blaine, soybean specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said about 60 percent of the crop was planted by May 1. While growers are running slightly behind last year's planting schedule, they are still ahead of the five-year average.

By Jeanie Davidson

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's increasing need for doctors has spurred an opportunity for local students to prepare themselves for careers in the medical field.

"With one out of five doctors in Mississippi approaching retirement age, the state's need for doctors will only escalate," said Bonnie Carew, rural health policy coordinator for Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- School and health personnel face many challenges in improving health among Mississippi's school children, and a June 6 through 8 conference in Biloxi will offer guidance.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Prices that reached some historic lows couldn't prevent Mississippi farmers from posting a farm value in 2001 that surpassed the previous year's by just over 3 percent.

Final agriculture production figures were recently calculated and show the state's largest industry had a value of $4.39 billion. Farm production value in 2000 was $4.25 billion.

By Ashley Crawford

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi public schools are discovering the many benefits of health programs with the help of an organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The phrase "Mississippi summer" brings visions of torrid heat and humidity to the minds of most gardeners, but that will not be the case after the spring of 2002.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Last fall, Mississippi cattle producers had every reason to be optimistic about 2002 prices, but skittish markets have taken every opportunity to go the wrong direction in recent months.

"In spite of Sept. 11, beef demand held up well in the fall," said John Anderson, agricultural economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "We saw declining cattle numbers in the feedlots and a small calf crop last fall. We certainly expected a very good spring, since April is usually the month when the market peaks."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Spring storms have dampened corn growers fields, but not their hopes for the 2003 crop.

While heavy rains are not unusual during planting season, some growers had to evaluate replanting decisions to make sure whatever they do is money well spent. They know lost time reduces yield potential and profit, and every pass across the field is going to be expensive with fuel prices at their current levels.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A Mississippi man considered by many to be one of the founders of 4-H was inducted in early April into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

William Hall "Corn Club" Smith established the first boys and girls clubs in Holmes County, Mississippi in 1907. He was the first person to receive federal funds to work with youth and is considered a founder of 4-H.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Two Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station researchers helped compile a reference book series on various aspects of cotton production.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

If someone told me I could only grow one plant, I would probably choose several night blooming jasmine, but not because of their beauty. It is their fragrance that makes them a must-have in every landscape.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A recent Mississippi State University study suggests that Americans don't mind eating beef treated with growth hormones or fed genetically engineered corn nearly as much as do European consumers.

Jayson Lusk, assistant professor in MSU's Department of Agricultural Economics, helped conduct a survey of consumers in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. He worked with Jutta Rossen from the Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium and John Fox of Kansas State University.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The break between spring rains may have come too late for some corn growers as the optimum planting dates have passed for Mississippi fields.

Erick Larson, grain crops agronomist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the latest optimum corn planting date in Mississippi is April 25 in the extreme northern counties. Persistent rains in March and April delayed growers from getting the seed in the ground.

By Ashley Crawford

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi youth gain pride in themselves and in their communities through a unique environmental improvement program.

Community Pride is a grants and awards program sponsored by the ChevronTexaco Companies and administered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The contagious excitement of spring planting is everywhere. In addition, families are starting to plan long, relaxing vacations away from home, and this is when the nasty dilemma rears its ugly head. What do you plant when you are planning to be away a lot during the summer?

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi leads the world in catfish production, but for various reasons, the state's children may not be introduced to fish on their plates as soon as they should.

As the Bolivar County home economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, Sharon Allen works in the heart of catfish production -- the Mississippi Delta. She sees firsthand what children are eating and what they are not eating. She also knows the importance of consuming a variety of foods to maintain a healthy diet.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Dairy producers and industry supporters can find answers to the topics most on their minds at a May 23 field day in Bogue Chitto.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station are cosponsoring the Statewide Dairy Field Day at the Ronnie and Mary Nell Clark Dairy, a privately owned farm.

Registration for the field day begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program begins at 9:30. There is no cost to attend, and lunch is provided.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An oversupply of catfish, economic recession and imports have driven catfish prices to their lowest in years, but farmers are just happy that people have continued to buy as much of their fish as before.

Jimmy Avery, associate Extension catfish specialist at Mississippi State University's Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center in Stoneville, said the only bright spots for catfish farmers are fairly low feed prices and continued demand for the product.