News

Simple steps can deter kissing bugs around homes

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Triatomine insects are not new to the United States, but they’ve recently gotten a lot of attention because of their ability to transmit a rare, but serious disease. 

Invasive pest confirmed in Mississippi cotton

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Specialists with the Mississippi State University Extension Service are monitoring the spread of a newly detected invasive pest in the state that has the potential to severely impact future cotton yields.

Big state corn harvest in 2025 is nearly complete

Mississippi’s corn crop is much bigger than expected this year, and favorable conditions in the Delta are producing a very good crop on many acres.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, or NASS, increased its estimation of state corn acres in September to 880,000 acres.

MSU field day hosts turf professionals

The 2025 Turfgrass Research Field Day was held Sept. 18 at the R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center. The MSU Extension Service, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and the MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences showcased their ongoing research projects to turfgrass managers, lawn care operators, golf course superintendents, sod producers, turf and landscape students, and landscape architects during the event.

Thoughtful planning makes garden slope a major asset

Sometimes what moves a landscape from interesting to outstanding is a change in elevation.

Precision conservation offers alternative to traditional farming

Developed through the Forest and Wildlife Research Center at Mississippi State University, the Precision Conservation Tool, or PCT, is a decision-making software that identifies exact locations where conservation practices will be the most economically beneficial to farmers on specific areas of their land. 

Cypress vine is fast-growing non-native garden highlight

I enjoy plants that not only bring beauty but also attract pollinators, and one of the most striking plants is the exotic cypress vine.

This is not a native plant, but it has earned its place in many Southern landscapes for the charm it adds and the visitors it draws.

MSU Extension launches Walk Mississippi challenge

Walk Mississippi and Live Healthy … One Step at a Time is a six-week wellness program developed by the Mississippi State University Extension Service that encourages youth and adults to be more physically active and adopt healthier nutritional habits.

Deer depredation is a row crop concern

Insects, disease and weather are the typical challenges to row crops, but Mississippi growers also have to consider deer when analyzing what can harm a crop.

Mississippi, home to an estimated 1.75 million white-tailed deer, has the densest deer population in the U.S. The entire state is the deer’s natural habitat, and they are found in cities, forestland and cropland. Hunters help control the deer population, harvesting about 280,000 deer annually. Yet many drivers encounter deer on the state’s roadways year-round.