News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Crop insurance is on sale for farmers in Mississippi at nearly a 30 percent discount, but growers have to act quickly to take advantage of this reduction.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced $400 million in disaster relief to subsidize buy-up crop insurance premiums. Buy-up insurance provides the highest levels of coverage at an increased cost to farmers. The relief money reduces coverage cost, but must be bought by Feb. 28. Other emergency financial assistance is available for areas that had multiple year losses or single year disasters.

By Rebekah Ray

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Aflatoxin takes its toll on Mississippi corn production, but two scientists at Mississippi State University have recently released a weapon to fight the fungus.

U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service plant geneticist Paul Williams and plant pathologist Gary L. Windham developed the germplasm Mp715 that was released by the USDA-ARS and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

By Lani Jefcoat

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Family planning efforts can protect today's pets from unwanted litters and health risks and significantly reduce the number of animals put to sleep in the years to come.

Dr. Richard Hopper, Mississippi State University Extension Service veterinarian, said the best way to help control the pet population and protect animals from serious medical problems is through spay or neuter efforts.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Competition is not only great for the airline industry, but for plant breeders and adventuresome gardeners as well.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Two new hollies, Liberty and Patriot, have made their debut to the Red Holly Hybrid group, giving gardeners seven beautiful new hollies from which to choose.

This group is called the Red Holly Hybrids because several produce new growth that is a red to maroon color. As a whole, these are some of the most elegant and statuesque hollies and are rapidly gaining recognition from Texas to the East Coast. In Mississippi, they are produced in Poplarville and Lucedale.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Digital technology is allowing Mississippi plant specialists to lend their expertise without leaving the office, drastically cutting response time to problems.

Dr. Frank Killebrew, plant pathologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, is using digital cameras and e-mail to distance diagnose plant diseases. He established a pilot program in five counties, and expects to expand this year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Federal relief is on the way to small hog producers who managed to survive the 1998 market catastrophe.

Mark Crenshaw, swine specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said the assistance comes too late for many of the state's smaller producers who opted out of the business months ago. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimateed there are 100,000 eligible producers, but Crenshaw said Mississippi may have 50 qualified farms.

By Lani Jefcoat

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Couples celebrate Valentine's Day by expressing love and affection, but people should know how to convey love throughout the year. While it is traditionally for lovers, Valentine's also can be a time to communicate and develop love within the family.

Dr. Louise Davis, Mississippi State University Extension Service child and family development specialist, said children and adults need to be reminded that they are loved all the time and not just on Valentine's Day.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Young people from across the state learned techniques and ethics of managing and hunting waterfowl before returning to experience the satisfaction of a December day's hunt.

Nearly 60 youth and their guardians took part in the Third Annual Youth Waterfowl Hunters' Workshop at Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge on Oct. 31. They returned to the Refuge in December to a green-tree reservoir where the participants had the exclusive opportunity to hunt waterfowl.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As a kid, I longed for 1986 when Haley's Comet would streak across the sky. Others quaked in fear of that ominous comet that comes around every 70-something years. Now, many of the same omens are forecast for the year 2000.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Growers will not be disappointed by the trends toward bold flowering beds and orange colors in 1999.

The recent Grower Expo in Atlanta provide me the opportunity to hear several well-known writers and horticulturists as they describe the trends for the coming season.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Few aspects of a courtship receive the high level of public attention as the moment he proposes marriage.

Most women can't help the romantic side of their personalities that longs for a special, thoughtful proposal. From the time their mothers recount their own stories, many girls begin dreaming.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- No matter how well a couple knows each other, some adjustments are expected in the first months and years of marriage.

Dr. Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said realistic expectations as a couple enters a marriage are important in making all the adjustments to each other.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Shopping for a wedding dress can overwhelm a new bride and make her think finding the groom was easy.

Dr. Betty Fulwood, clothing specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said many options are available as brides search for the wedding dress of their dreams.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- "For richer, for poorer" is usually in the vows, but many couples may not realize the potential hardship financial issues can have on their marriage.

"Finances are a common source of conflict for couples, but as with many other issues, good communication can help reduce the problems on the relationship," said Dr. Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Convert a hobby into a money-saving opportunity by using homegrown flowers and greenery for wedding decorations.

"One of the best ways to make a wedding personal and keep the cost down is to grow your own flowers," said Norman Winter, Extension horticulturist with Mississippi State University.

"Growing flowers for a wedding is particularly convenient for June weddings," Winter said. "Even if some flowers such as roses are planted in January, there should be a good number of blooms by June."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most newlyweds have a closet full of gifts they didn't need or want, but choosing a quality item will reduce the chances of a gift going into storage instead of regular use.

Kitchen items are popular wedding gifts for engaged couples. Most newlyweds, especially those setting up their first home, need practical and quality items that will last for years.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

A recent trip to exchange Christmas gifts actually perked my spirits a little when I found a new shipment of roses ready for winter planting on the shelves. The aspect of new plants, changes in the garden, and blooms in the springtime have many of us talking about gardening even on these coldest days of winter.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The New Year looks very promising from the standpoint of new plants for the gardener. The All-America Selections committee has recognized 12 winners for 1999. These winners also represent several countries like Germany, Japan, Taiwan and China.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As I attempted to button my favorite pair of pants, it became quite evident there was a problem. They had obviously shrunk from high humidity in my closet. It looks like the same New Year's resolution will be at the top of my list again, but only after gorging during the bowl games.

There are several New Year's gardening resolutions we all need to make to have a better and more environmentally friendly garden next year.