News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Catfish processors nationwide are invited to attend the 2003 Catfish Processors Conference Feb. 25 and 26 at Mississippi State University.

The catfish processors conference provides information on the processing and marketing of catfish for those involved in the production and processing of catfish. It is sponsored by MSU's Extension Service Food and Fiber Center and the MSU Department of Food Science and Technology.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Got milk questions? International experts including several Mississippi State University faculty members provide answers about dairy science "from paddock to plate" in a newly released encyclopedia.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Most of us can hardly wait until the first blooms announce that spring is just around the corner. Over the holidays, I saw a flowering quince with several coral-colored blossoms already open, but you need a Taiwan flowering cherry if you really want to herald the approaching spring.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Dropping a few pounds to look great for wedding pictures may be a worthy goal, but nutritionists urge brides and grooms to concentrate on long-term lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes.

Statistics show that more than half of all Americans are overweight, and nearly 20 percent are obese. Even trim newlyweds must fend off the extra pounds that seem to haunt new couples.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Friends can shower Mississippi couples with unique gifts produced within the state's borders, and couples can return the favor with a spread of the state's speciality foods at the reception and parties surrounding the wedding.

Beth Duncan, small business development specialist with Mississippi State University Extension Service's Food and Fiber Center, said when the thought counts, Mississippi products add to the specialness of the occasion while giving a boost to the state's economy.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Married couples and money are a volatile situation, and the problem is the difference in attitudes and behavior about money and the lack of communication on the subject.

Susan Cosgrove, family resource management specialist in Newton County with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said disagreements over money are the most common problem in marriages. Many of these problems escalate into divorce, so she urged prospective couples to work out money issues before marriage.

By Laura Whelan

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- After the whirlwind of wedding activities are over, many new couples find that when stomachs growl, it's easier to go to a restaurant than prepare a healthy meal at home.

Melissa Mixon, human nutrition specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the convenience of fast food may not outweigh the consequences. A simple fast-food meal consisting of a burger, fries and soda can contain 1,000 calories.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The flood of emotions parents face on their child's wedding day may increase exponentially if an estranged spouse is part of the day, but the bottom line always is to be willing to abide by the wishes of the bride and groom.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The Becky variety of shasta daisies has been chosen as the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2003. Every Mississippi landscape needs this showy flower, which is probably the best shasta daisy for the South. While all others tend to melt a bit in the torrid heat and humidity, this lady keeps her composure.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most gardens look dead in the winter as gardeners wait for spring to put in their crops, but these plots can come alive in January with fresh vegetables for the table.

David Nagel, horticulture specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said mid- to late-January is the time to plant peas and greens.

"Mississippi gardeners don't plant peas nearly as much as they used to, but these vegetables thrive in our climate," Nagel said.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

2003 garden catalogues are arriving every day, and Norman Winter is constantly telling you about new plants for the spring. As you sit by the fire on these cold blustery days making plans for the garden, reflect back and ask yourself how your flowers performed last year.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

If you had told garden center managers in the early 1990s that they would be selling hundreds of sweet potatoes for the landscape each year, they probably would have laughed hysterically. Now they are laughing all the way to the bank as the ornamental sweet potato has become a huge success story in just a few short years.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The humble daffodil gives cheer as hearty messengers of spring's return and is among Mississippi's finest plants. But you'd better be planting these flowers of the genus Narcissus now if you want gorgeous blooms this spring.

October and November are the main bulb planting season, but we can find success by planting them later as well. Many garden centers are even offering specials on these bulbs, so take advantage.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A victim of low market prices, a Russian ban and a wet harvest season, Mississippi's 2002 total value of agricultural production is expected to decrease by almost 7 percent from the previous year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A poor export market and depressed prices combined to drive down the 2002 value of poultry production by 17 percent, but the crop still retained its status as the state's No. 1 commodity.

Tim Chamblee, poultry management researcher with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said the Russian poultry import ban removed a large part of the state's market. Other countries cut back on some imports over concerns of poultry disease in parts of the United States.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The predicted 1.2 percent decrease in value of Mississippi's timber harvest may represent a turn towards better conditions in the next few years.

Agricultural economists and forestry specialists with Mississippi State University's Extension Service are predicting the value of Mississippi's 2002 timber harvest at $1.06 billion, compared to 2001's value of almost $1.08 billion.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi cotton farmers had what looked like the best crop in the history of the state until fall rains reduced yields and quality.

Will McCarty, cotton specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the 2002 crop still promises to be above average, but the harvest was the wettest it has been in years. Rains destroyed some cotton on the plant and delayed farmers getting the rest out of the fields on time.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The predicted 1.2 percent decrease in value of Mississippi's timber harvest may represent a turn towards better conditions in the next few years.

Agricultural economists and forestry specialists with Mississippi State University's Extension Service are predicting the value of Mississippi's 2002 timber harvest at $1.06 billion, compared to 2001's value of almost $1.08 billion.

CLEVELAND -- The Delta's agricultural industry has made many changes in three decades, but growers have been able to depend on the annual Delta Ag Expo to help them adapt.

The 30th Annual Delta Ag Expo will take place Jan. 21 and 22 at the Bolivar County Exposition Center in Cleveland. Opening day activities will feature an 11:30 a.m. keynote address by Mississippi native and U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Bill Hawks.

HATTIESBURG -- A new machine called a "sod scalper" is available to help landowners significantly increase longleaf pine seedling survival.

The scalper is a modified fire plow that removes the top 2 to 3 inches of sod and casts it aside. Longleaf pine seedlings are planted in the resulting 3-foot wide strip, which is free from competing grasses.

Glenn Hughes, forestry specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said research indicates that scalping was the best site preparation treatment for planting longleaf pine on pastures.