News From 2002

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The break between spring rains may have come too late for some corn growers as the optimum planting dates have passed for Mississippi fields.

Erick Larson, grain crops agronomist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the latest optimum corn planting date in Mississippi is April 25 in the extreme northern counties. Persistent rains in March and April delayed growers from getting the seed in the ground.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Dairy producers and industry supporters can find answers to the topics most on their minds at a May 23 field day in Bogue Chitto.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station are cosponsoring the Statewide Dairy Field Day at the Ronnie and Mary Nell Clark Dairy, a privately owned farm.

Registration for the field day begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program begins at 9:30. There is no cost to attend, and lunch is provided.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The contagious excitement of spring planting is everywhere. In addition, families are starting to plan long, relaxing vacations away from home, and this is when the nasty dilemma rears its ugly head. What do you plant when you are planning to be away a lot during the summer?

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi leads the world in catfish production, but for various reasons, the state's children may not be introduced to fish on their plates as soon as they should.

As the Bolivar County home economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, Sharon Allen works in the heart of catfish production -- the Mississippi Delta. She sees firsthand what children are eating and what they are not eating. She also knows the importance of consuming a variety of foods to maintain a healthy diet.

By Ashley Crawford

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi youth gain pride in themselves and in their communities through a unique environmental improvement program.

Community Pride is a grants and awards program sponsored by the ChevronTexaco Companies and administered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An oversupply of catfish, economic recession and imports have driven catfish prices to their lowest in years, but farmers are just happy that people have continued to buy as much of their fish as before.

Jimmy Avery, associate Extension catfish specialist at Mississippi State University's Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center in Stoneville, said the only bright spots for catfish farmers are fairly low feed prices and continued demand for the product.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Many people consider the Dragon Wing red begonia to be the most beautiful begonia on the market for planters or the landscape, and the Mississippi Plant Selections Committee unanimously concurred by selecting it as a Mississippi Medallion winner for 2002.

The Dragon Wing red begonia works great in full sun or partial shade. In full sun, the plant is more compact and the foliage develops a reddish cast. In partial shade, the look is lush, tropical and exotic.

By Ashley Crawford

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Today's senior citizens face many obstacles when trying to enjoy their hard-earned money, but consumer knowledge may ensure a happy retirement.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The day when a child is finally ready to be left alone is a big moment for parent and child, but one that the law and child experts say should not be rushed.

According to the Mississippi Department of Human Services' Child Protective Services website, the age at which a child is old enough to be left alone depends on the maturity of the child. This means it is up to parents to decide when the child is mature enough to take on the responsibility of their own care for brief periods.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- April has been set aside to focus attention on preventing child abuse, and the Mississippi State University Extension Service is a major supporter of what has come to be known as Blue Ribbon Month.

The commemoration began years ago in Virginia when Bonnie Finney tied a blue ribbon on her vehicle's antennae to symbolize the death of her grandson to child abuse. The color blue was chosen to vividly represent the bruises left by physical abuse to children. Blue Ribbon Month has since spread across the country.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's winter wheat has contended with wet conditions since planting season last fall, but plants are reaching a critical need for drier fields in April.

Erick Larson, grain crops agronomist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said fields have had plenty of moisture since an unseasonably wet August, so any rains received this year have caused water-logged conditions.

By Charmain Tan Courcelle

MISISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University researchers have initiated a new study to examine the effect of air quality on the health, performance and productivity of dairy cows.

Angelica Chapa, dairy scientist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and MSU Extension dairy specialist, said enclosed free-stall barns with tunnel ventilation may help keep cows cool in Mississippi's hot and humid weather, but little is known about the effect of air quality on the performance of dairy cows in confined housing.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

In 600 B.C., the Greek poetess, Sappho, described the rose as the Queen of Flowers, and it became our National Floral Emblem in 1987. It is safe to say roses are much loved and are here to stay.

The American Rose Society lists 56 official classes of roses, so you know there must be some you can enjoyably grow and beautify your landscape with as well as provide fragrant and colorful bouquets for indoor displays.

By Ashley Crawford

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Graduating from college brings many celebrations unless accumulated debts limit a person's opportunities.

"Students are coming out of college with more student loan and credit card debt than 10 years ago," said Jan Lukens, consumer management specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "In fact, the predominant means that students meet their college financial needs is through student loans rather than grants."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Growers normally make planting decisions well before planting time based on their crop rotation plans and the markets, but this year's Farm Bill debate and the weather are throwing a monkey wrench into growers' plans.

Jim Quinn, marketing specialist with Farm Bureau and Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said without a finalized Farm Bill, bankers are withholding loans until they know how much governmental support to expect.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Catfish producers have an updated tool to help them remain afloat in financial hard times.

Fishy 2002 is the latest version of computer software developed in 1982 at Mississippi State University to aid the aquaculture industry. Wallace Killcreas, Fishy programmer and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station agricultural economist, said the program aids management and decision-making.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Not all award-winning plants for 2002 are new, and the Mississippi Medallion Plant Selections Committee is announcing this spring that a small, heirloom tree is a 2002 winner.

Vitex, or lilac chaste tree, is native to Sicily and is a member of the verbena family. It was recognized by the Greeks for its medicinal properties, and it is recorded to have been in cultivation in British gardens since 1570.

By Charmain Tan Courcelle

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A study of the practice of land application of poultry litter suggests copper and zinc may accumulate in amended soils using current nutrient management strategies.

Billy Kingery, soil scientist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, has completed a study to determine the effect of long-term application of poultry litter on the amount and distribution of these metals in soil.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Few plants are as tough or more deserving of a place in the Mississippi flower border than the ruellia. In our high heat, it not only endures but is also a star performer and one of those plants that gives everyone the green thumb.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The array of numbers on a fertilizer bag can intimidate gardeners into either applying the fertilizer indiscriminately or deciding to let the plants do without.

In order, the numbers represent the percentage of nitrogen, phosphate and potash contained in the bag. Varying amounts of these three macronutrients are essential to the survival of plants.

Larry Oldham, soil specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the numbers make it possible for gardeners to supply the correct amount of these nutrients to the soil.