Clients share needs with MSU representatives

RAYMOND, Miss. -- More than 140 agricultural producers and industry professionals took advantage of the 2026 Central Mississippi Producer Advisory Council meeting Feb. 17 to talk with Mississippi State University personnel.

Held in Raymond at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center, the annual forum provides clients, MSU administrators, researchers, specialists and Extension agents with an opportunity to meet in small commodity groups to discuss the research and educational needs of producers in the region. 

“We know your time is valuable, and we thank you for taking time out of your day so we can do a better job for you,” said Curt Lacy, head of the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center, the hub of MSU Extension Service education and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station research in 20 of the state’s southwestern counties.

The meeting was a collaborative effort between longtime partners Alcorn State University and Hinds Community College.

“We are fortunate to have a lot of great partners here to work with,” Lacy said. “Being located on the campus of a community college and having members of the Alcorn Extension Program housed in our office gives us some distinct opportunities.”

At the event, six commodities were represented: apiculture; small ruminants; forestry and wildlife; beef, forage and equine; agronomic crops and vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Apiculture representatives discussed biocontrol agents for greater wax moths, 4-H curriculum for beekeeping and best management practices for pollinator gardening. They would like an Extension program facilitating seed distribution of important pollinator plants and testing of treatment barriers on bee stands to prevent Argentine ants.

The small ruminant group discussed producing publications on goats, testing sheep breeds and forage varieties in grazing, collaborating with industry on botanical controls for managing coccidias, the second most common intestinal parasite of goats.

They also heard updates on research that has been done or is still in progress, including comparison of meat goats, artificial insemination and the use of lidocaine for certain surgical procedures. Leyla Rios, Extension small ruminant specialist and assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, announced the fourth annual buck test will be held at MSU in the spring.

The forestry and wildlife group asked for continued research and educational programming on disturbance management activities of invasive species of wildlife, continued development and education on forestry carbon sequestration and other market information.

They discussed the continued support of the Christmas tree cultivar project and the partnership between MSU Forest Products Lab and School of Architecture. They also support a feasibility study on using forest products for future fuel production as a potential new market and rural community development. 

Beef, forage and equine group members said they want information about heifer retention and development in today’s market, marketing cattle directly to the feedyard, economics of backgrounding cattle and feeding whole cottonseed to cattle.

Members of the agronomic crops group wanted continued evaluation of deer damage across all row crops and trials, including testing deterrents and timing. They asked for information on soybean seeding rates and an evaluation of corn fertility.

Representatives of the vegetables, fruits and nuts group asked for more information on herbal-based products for pest and disease management, soil health management and training opportunities for both beginner and experienced farmers on pest management. They also discussed providing more opportunities for youth horticultural education. 

Keith Coble, vice president of the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, or DAFVM, noted the importance of the Producer Advisory Council meeting.

“This event helps us because we want to understand what your problems and needs are. We have put together a crackerjack team for you that wants to do better and more for you,” he said. 

Producers in the coastal region met Jan. 7, and northern region producers met Feb. 19.