News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Discipline is one of the most important tools for parents' as they teach and guide children to become moral, independent adults.

Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said discipline comes from the word "disciple," which means a follower, and does not necessarily involve punishment.

HATTIESBURG -- South Mississippi cattle producers are counting on (market) strength in numbers as well as the quality of their heifers to bring a more satisfying experience for buyers and sellers alike at an upcoming sale.

With the aid of Mississippi State University's Extension Service, a group of about 20 cattle producers are planning a bred and open heifer sale in the Jones County multipurpose arena, known as the Magnolia Center, at noon on Aug. 31.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Corn borers are inspiring growers to harvest corn as soon as possible, but producers must carefully weigh their decisions based on grain moisture content.

Erick Larson, corn specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said high populations of southwestern corn borers in the Delta and northeast Mississippi will cause substantial harvest losses if the corn is not harvested promptly. Growers can harvest corn after it reaches physiological maturity, which occurs when the grain measures about 30 percent moisture.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- West Nile Virus made its first appearance in the state in 2001, and Mississippians will likely need to take precautions from it for many years to come.

After entering the northeast United States in 1999, West Nile Virus made its first appearance in Mississippi's bird and horse populations in 2001. This year, it has recurred in those animal populations and is taking a human toll as well. No deaths are expected in other species, such as dogs or cats.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Researchers at Mississippi State University who are trying to formulate the best diet for catfish have found a protein mix that seems to be the most efficient.

Protein is added to catfish diets from either plant or animal sources. Catfish need protein for the same reasons every other living thing needs protein -- bodies cannot make certain amino acids needed to function and must get these from food.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- With zero boll weevils in 98 percent of Mississippi's cotton fields, growers appear eager to continue the eradication program that has brought them this far.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

They say, "seeing is believing," but in the case of Salvia van houttei, seeing is wanting, whether you are a hungry hummingbird or a gardener with an eye for color.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Weather conditions in 2002 may be much better than in recent years for Mississippi's sod producers, but the market challenges are not getting any easier.

Wayne Wells, turfgrass specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said reasonable amounts of rain have reduced irrigation expenses and some of the management challenges this year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi avoided an epidemic of southern pine beetles last year, but a recent survey found epidemic numbers of the beetles in national forests in south Mississippi.

JACKSON -- Mississippi is one step closer to having one of the nation's premier exhibitions of 4-H memorabilia and interactive programs after the July 20 groundbreaking for the Pete Frierson Mississippi 4-H Museum in Jackson.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Fountain, maiden and muhly grasses are among the most popular ornamental grasses, but watch for the new kid on the block, Mexican feather grass. The Mexican feather grass, known botanically as Stipa tenuissima, will bring an entirely new look to the garden.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's 2002 cotton crop may not be experiencing the drought challenges of past years, but the variable conditions are not making this an easy crop to predict either.

"The state's crop is at a varied stage of development due to an extended planting season," said Will McCarty, cotton specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

"Instead of the normal five to seven weeks of planting, it took eight to nine weeks. That's longer than we would like to see."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Eight girls from a group home in West Point spent a week with horses as part of a therapy program hoped to be the first of many offered around the state.

Mississippi State University's Horse Park hosted FOCUS, a day camp from July 15 to 19 designed for girls age 12 to 17 for "Finding Out about Communicating, Understanding and Succeeding."

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The Outback Sunset lysimachia has surpassed my greatest expectations. Although several people predicted problems from Mississippi's afternoon summer sun, I had the perfect location that afforded shade after 2 in the afternoon.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Researchers at Mississippi State University are betting that one day state producers will want to grow seedless watermelons, and when they do, MSU will be ready to help them grow the best ones possible.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's livestock producers are looking forward to adequate pasture grass and hay supplies going into the fall, leaving only one thing to worry about: cattle prices.

John Anderson, agricultural economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said Mississippi livestock producers pastures are better than normal for this time of the year, unlike their counterparts' pastures in major cattle producing states such as Texas and New Mexico.

By Charmain Tan Courcelle

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- That raw oyster appetizer might sound tempting, but you may want to consider eating it later in a meal.

Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station food microbiologist Douglas Marshall has found eating raw oysters on an empty stomach can increase the risk of food poisoning. And taking an antacid beforehand could make the situation even worse.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The castor bean, one of the South's best old-fashioned plants, really starts to attract attention this time of the year. The castor bean is undergoing a revival of sorts -- not only showing up in the rural cottage gardens but also in places like Northpark Mall in Jackson.

The castor bean has been grown in the United States for a long time but comes from northeast Africa. It is in the Euphorbia family, making it related to poinsettias and copper plants.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Robert Rogers, Mississippi State University professor, recently served as an editor and author of "Meat Science and Applications," a professional reference guide for government, industry and academia.

JACKSON -- Mississippi 4-Hers will culminate their organization's year-long centennial celebration from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on July 20 at the Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson.