News From 1999

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

A trip to a favorite garden center can be similar to walking into an ice cream shop. The push of spring blooms, coupled with warmer weather may have you chomping at the bit to get out planting. But before you buy some of everything, stop and do a little thinking or planning.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Ornamental grasses can really make a difference in our landscapes. The varieties abound for just the right look and location.

Dwarf sweet flag, mostly known as Japanese sweet flag, is one of the prettiest grasses we can use in the landscape. Although new in our local markets, this grass is drawing increased attention.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A milder-than-usual winter may be nice for people, but it can mean trouble for fruit trees by causing them to bloom out of season.

Recent cold weather has not hurt this year's fruit production, even though warm weather has prompted some plants to bud. Generally, buds are not damaged until temperatures dip below 28 degrees for four or more hours.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's world class catfish industry makes it possible for Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to offer the nation's only internship in production medicine for fish.

Dr. S.W. "Skip" Jack, leader of aquatic medicine at MSU's veterinary college, said MSU created the post-doctoral program in response to an educational need in veterinary science. Aquatic opportunities in veterinary colleges are limited, and there is no board speciality in aquatic medicine.

By Lani Jefcoat

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Horse lovers from around the state can support a new program to benefit people with special needs by donating their time, gentle horses and equipment.

The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine has developed a therapeutic riding program called WINGS, Winning Independence, Gaining Strength. WINGS is a specialized horse-assisted activity that provides physical, emotional and psychological benefits to individuals with special needs.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Whether hitting the slopes, enjoying the beach or working in the garden, overexposure to ultraviolet rays poses a threat to healthy skin of children and adults.

Linda Patterson, health education specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said that since most skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, most may be prevented.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Changes in Mississippi's law place more responsibility for health care decisions on the individuals, but make it easier to express future health care wishes when the person cannot.

JACKSON -- Generous buyers rewarded exhibitors of 33 champion market animals with another record-setting sale following the recent Dixie National Junior Livestock Show in February.

Gale Chrestman, 4-H livestock specialist with Mississippi State University' Extension Service, said the 1999 Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions netted $186,701. The previous record was set last year at $185,408.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Knowing what the weather will be like is about the only variable keeping Mississippi State University researchers from being able to predict some cotton and soybean yields.

Dr. Harry Hodges, crop physiology and production specialist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said computer programs have been developed to simulate crop growth. The goal is to know how plants will respond to environmental variables.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Every week I try to tell you what's arriving in the world of plants, but this week's column is dedicated to what's old and still wonderful. Mississippi and much of the South provide some outstanding old homesteads with long-standing plants announcing spring's arrival.

By Norman Winter
Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

To promote 1999 as the year of the salvia, the National Garden Bureau sent me pages and pages of information, but failed to mention my favorites. In defense of the National Garden Bureau, Mother Nature provided us with more than 900 species of salvia.

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.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Many New Year's resolutions have already fallen by the wayside, leaving dieters frustrated by the challenge of permanently losing excess weight.

Fad diets that sound promising may result in a roller coaster weight loss experience or worse yet, damage health.

"Every few years or so, a new diet becomes the rage. Most recently, ëSugar Busters!' has received a lot of attention," said Roxanne Roccaforte, dietetic intern at Mississippi State University. "Dietitians strongly advocate lifestyle changes over fad diets that won't last a lifetime."

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Homeowners needing extra cash who turn to a program that basically lets them sell their house over time should seriously look at their financial plan before choosing this option.

Reverse mortgages are a type of loan where owners borrow against the equity in their home while retaining ownership of the house. The amount that can be borrowed against the home depends on factors such as age and the amount of equity in the house.

By Jamie Vickers

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Forget heart-shaped chocolate and candy this month. Healthy hearts are in the spotlight during National Heart Month in February, especially for women who are twice as likely to die from a heart attack than men.

Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. In 1995, about 45 percent of the deaths in Mississippi were due to cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, said Dr. Melissa Mixon, human nutrition specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

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.

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.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new rice variety soon to be in commercial production is giving indications it may be a strong contender for the state's most popular variety.

Priscilla was released in 1997 by Dr. Dwight Kanter, agronomist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. The new rice variety started in the early 1980s by an Arkansas researcher as a cross between three existing varieties.

"In early tests, Priscilla was one of the highest yielding semi-dwarfs that we observed," Kanter said.

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.