News From 2008

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Durability and “everlasting” beauty are two of the reasons All Around Purple gomphrena has been selected as a 2008 Mississippi Medallion Award winner.

Known botanically as Gomphrena globosa, this Joseph's Coat relative is native to Panama and Guatemala. All Around Purple is the first plant selected as a winner that may be called an “everlasting” because of its ability to be cut, hung upside down to dry and then used in a vase.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The new interim associate dean of Research and Graduate Studies at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine said he plans to continue the successful programs of his predecessor.

Stephen Pruett, head of the CVM Basic Sciences Department since July, assumed his new responsibilities Feb. 25. He succeeds Jerald Ainsworth, who retired after 28 years of service.

“I want to maintain a stable, efficient office that meets the needs of our faculty and students,” Pruett said.  

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Reuben Moore has been named the interim head of the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona.

As director, he will oversee the daily operations of this regional facility, one of four strategically located across the state to meet the local information, research and programming needs of Mississippians. The center serves as a hub of Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and Mississippi State University Extension Service research and outreach activities.

By Robert H. Wells
Delta Research and Extension Center

STONEVILLE -- A multi-state project to reveal genetic markers for some of the Mid-South's best rice breeding lines in history is underway with the goal to produce a genetic map of about 470 of the most successful rice varieties.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's soybean growers are not alone in their enthusiasm for planting a large crop this year, and the market knows it.

Soybean growers are expected to plant more than 2 million acres in soybeans, the largest state soybean crop since 1998. The national crop, once expected to be near 71 million acres, is now forecast closer to 75 million acres.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Bob Ratliff of Starkville is serving as the interim department head of Mississippi State University’s Office of Agricultural Communications.

Vance Watson, serving as MSU’s vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine, appointed Ratliff to the interim task after the retirement of Tom Knecht on Feb. 29.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A Mississippi State University alumnus and forest products faculty member is the new head of the university’s forest products department.

Rubin Shmulsky, who assumed his new duties April 1, will lead the largest state-funded laboratory of its kind in the United States. His appointment was approved during the March meeting of the state Board of Trustees for the Institutions of Higher Learning.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Move over, New Gold lantana, and make room for Diamond Frost euphorbia.

In 1996, the Mississippi Plant Selections Committee chose New Gold lantana as a Mississippi Medallion Award winner. It became the standard for all others and one plant that many gardeners thought would never be matched in toughness. Now, we have a plant to give New Gold lantana a run for its money.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi State University is offering different kinds of family vacations this summer.

Four educational summer camps that appeal to families who enjoy the outdoors will be offered: two are based at the MSU campus in Starkville and one will be in north Mississippi at Crow’s Neck Environmental Center in Tishomingo County. The location of the fourth is still being determined.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- David Jones has joined the Mississippi State University Extension Service as the first forest products specialist. 

Jones, a wood quality expert, formerly worked as a postdoctoral associate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in forestry. He received a bachelor’s degree in forest resources from Clemson University, a master’s from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a doctorate in forestry from the University of Georgia. 

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi winter wheat growers should be feeling pretty smart about their planting decisions last fall.

Market prices near $6 per bushel encouraged growers to increase acreage from 370,000 in 2006-2007 to a record 400,000 for this year. Late March prices are near $8 per bushel, but they have been as high as $12.50 per bushel since planting time.

Steve Martin, agricultural economist at Mississippi State University's Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, said several factors are working in favor of strong wheat prices.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Overall demand for wood products is down, but one segment of the industry is experiencing stronger demand.

Pulpwood prices are expected to reach, and possibly exceed, $10 a ton during the first half of 2008, which is almost double their level last summer, said Mississippi State University Extension Service forestry economist James Henderson.

“There is increased demand from the pulp and paper industry for pulpwood,” Henderson said. “This increase is being driven by two factors -- the weak U.S. dollar and the subprime mortgage crises.”

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Most of the regular readers of these columns know I am a tropical nut. I can identify with Jimmy Buffet's lyrics: “I have a Caribbean soul I can barely control.”

With that thought in mind, I probably should tell you about all of the citrus and papaya sold at our three garden and patio shows in the last 30 days. I'll save that for another day. Instead, I will challenge you on one of the finer things in the garden: texture.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Well before planting time, the fight against Asian soybean rust is already under way in Mississippi as sentinel plots are planted and genetic resistance to the disease is being developed.

Billy Moore, pathologist emeritus working parttime with the rust program for the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said Schillinger Seeds is developing resistance to soybean rust.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association is seeking peanut producers who are interested in serving on the National Peanut Board.

The MPGA will hold nominations to select a member and an alternate to the National Peanut Board during a meeting at 8:30 a.m. April 21. MPGA members may participate in the nominations by video conference at any Mississippi State University Extension Service county office or in person at the Forrest County Extension office, located at 952 Sullivan Drive in Hattiesburg.

By Robert H. Wells
Delta Research and Extension Center

STONEVILLE -- The distressed Mississippi catfish industry received a small boost in January as state producers were granted $8.1 million in disaster assistance for losses sustained in the hot summer of 2006.

By Patti Drapala
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Seventh-graders in the Mississippi Delta are discovering career opportunities in a place they least expect -- home.

A collaborative project between Mississippi State University and the Delta Health Alliance is motivating these students to dream big, study hard and return as doctors, nurses, respiratory specialists, radiology technicians and other health-care professionals.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Lead poisoning is a real threat to Mississippi children, many of whom are exposed to the potentially deadly substance in painted surfaces in their homes.

Jane Clary, health specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said high levels of lead exposure can lead to the development of colic, kidney damage, anemia, muscle weakness and brain damage, which can cause death. Lower levels of lead exposure can affect the blood, development and behavior.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

At a recent garden and patio show, several gardeners were asking what blue flowers I recommend for the long summer ahead. It seems we just can't get enough blue in the garden.

I always favor the various blue salvias and, of course, the Wave petunias. But one little plant that I still treasure for its rare clear blue is the Blue Daze evolvulus. It's hard to believe it has been a dozen years since it was selected as the first Mississippi Medallion award winner.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Scientists have known for decades that animals are good stand-ins for humans in research, and one Mississippi State University veterinarian was on the front lines of the fight to protect the welfare of laboratory animals.

Dr. John Harkness retired in 2005 from his position as laboratory animal veterinarian at MSU. He began his career in the early 1970s, just seven years after federal legislation mandated the kind of care laboratory animals must receive.