Feature Story

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A hay season like this year's leaves cattle producers with only one thing to cut: cows.

Most Mississippi cattle producers who were holding out hope for a decent hay cutting before fall now realize it is time to cull herds before they are left with too many mouths and not enough feed to last the winter.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippians are not in the habit of keeping track of water supplies, but a second summer of drought is taking its toll on the underground water stores.

Most of the state gets its water from underground aquifers. A few areas use surface water for their supply, but most municipalities dig wells to serve the needs of communities, industries and agriculture.

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Doing a rain dance doesn't guarantee rain, but there are ways to water yards and plants more effectively in a drought.

"Many plants and shrubs are suffering right now from a lack of water," said Norman Winter, a horticulture specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "Most of us would like to alleviate the pain of our precious plants in hopes of saving them from the raging dry heat."

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Reduced water levels in Mississippi farm ponds can be both negative and positive.

"A very common concern among recreational farm pond owners is the impact reduced water levels have on fish," said Marty Brunson, Extension fisheries specialist at Mississippi State University. "No fresh water entering Mississippi farm ponds means no water to dilute the common nutrients and metabolic wastes from fish. Increased concentrations of ammonia, for example, can be potent and dangerous to fish even at low levels."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A dry growing season means Mississippi cotton matured a lot faster than normal, but with this early maturing came reduced yields.

Will McCarty, cotton specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said cotton is being harvested three weeks earlier than normal this year.

By Chantel Lott

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rice production is big business in Mississippi, and September has been set aside nationally to recognize this important food staple.

Last year, Mississippi farmers produced more than 18 million pounds of rice on 260,000 acres. The crop's value reached nearly $100 million.

Bolivar County is one of the state's largest rice producing counties. Each year Delta Rice Promotions holds a rice-tasting luncheon to celebrate September as National Rice Month.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Getting Internet access can be a simple chore if only one option is available, but in Mississippi's larger cities, consumers have to decide among an array of options.

Dan Brook, head of computer applications with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said which one to choose depends on a variety of factors.

By Crystel Bailey

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Update wardrobes this fall with preppie styles and shiny fabrics, but don't throw away those animal prints just yet.

Everlyn Johnson, apparel and textile program leader with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said to look for animal prints, plaids, gold jewelry and leather this fall.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Growers certainly would have liked better yields, but most of them know this year's growing conditions could have taken an even higher toll than they did.

"Corn yields are turning out pretty well in spite of the hot, dry conditions," said Erick Larson, corn specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "Most of the credit goes to early planting. It just depends on when the plants ran out of moisture."

Larson said many fields were able to get through the pollination stage by mid-June before Mother Nature turned against them.

By Crystel Bailey

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Health officials still recommend that parents should continue to place babies on their backs even though some people worry this sleeping position will cause them to have flat heads.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- It will create a high water bill this summer, but watering the lawn weekly may be the only way to keep some landscape trees alive through Mississippi's drought.

Glenn Hughes, forestry specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service in Hattiesburg, said pine trees in South Mississippi are probably faring the worst this year. Drought damage, however, is statewide.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Forest fires raging out of control in the West give fire a bad name, but in non-drought times, Mississippi foresters use planned fires as management tools.

Glenn Hughes, forestry specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service in Hattiesburg, said fire historically has been a natural part of Southern pine forests.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- As if the drought isn't bad enough, Mississippi soybean farmers are now facing losses to several pests.

Pat Harris, entomology specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service in Decatur, said soybean fields have their normal populations of worms and stink bugs building up this fall in addition to the drought stress.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many of Mississippi's outdoor sportsmen and women count down the days until dove season arrives, but their judgement skills may need polishing more than their firearms as they begin the first of several major hunting seasons in the state.

Labor Day weekend dove shoots traditionally trigger the beginning of the fall hunting season. These shoots often take on a party atmosphere and can have deadly results for more than the birds.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Welfare reform has reduced the numbers on public assistance, but many now working live in poverty, with better access to programs and services being their best hope of improving their circumstances.

Michael Rupured, financial management specialist at the University of Georgia, authored a publication on "Promoting upward mobility for the working poor." It is part of a series published by the Southern Rural Development Center headquartered at Mississippi State University titled The Rural South: Preparing for the Challenges of the 21st Century.

By Crystel Bailey

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippians hold yard sales every week, but those who plan, advertise and follow some general tips profit most.

"Mid-spring to mid-fall is the best time to have a yard sale because the weather is ideal for being outside. Plan yard sales for weekends, especially those at the first of the month, because more people plan to shop then and most people get their paychecks then," said Jan Lukens, consumer management consultant with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

By Crystel Bailey

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Forget air-conditioned malls and stores, and go to yard sales to find great bargains on clothes and other useful items.

Everlyn Johnson, apparel and textile program leader with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said yard sales are a good idea for buying children's clothing; seldom worn items, such as party clothes; and household goods, such as furniture for college students.

"Yard sales offer excellent prices on clothes. You can get them for a fraction of the retail cost," she said.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Power outages from occasional thunderstorms can be more deadly to chickens than the 100-plus degree days that are par for the course during Mississippi summers.

Tom Smith, poultry specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the state had lost about 250,000 chickens in recent weeks, but the true culprit was not just the heat.

JACKSON - Mississippi's Extension county agricultural agents asked for it, and they got one of the biggest conventions ever held in the capital city.

In 1996, Mississippi delegates to the annual meeting of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents competed against Kentucky for the opportunity to host the 2000 meeting in Jackson. About 1,450 members and their families attended this year's meeting Aug. 6 through 10.

By Suzanne Berry

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Modern technological advances have provided today's farmers with many tools to enhance productivity and perhaps their bottom line, but one tool that could be the most important decision-making aid is a budget.