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Golf pro, forestry leader collaborate to benefit MSU golf course

When the head of Mississippi State’s Institute of Golf needed the right trees to improve playability and course safety, he had only to travel a short distance to the university’s College of Forest Resources.

Tony Luczak, a Professional Golfers Association member who has directed the golf institute for four years, said he kn...

4/2/2012

Furniture summit addresses industry challenges

Nothing brings competitors together like the threat of even bigger competition.

Among the crowd of different furniture manufacturing representatives at Mississippi State University’s Franklin Furniture Institute on Wednesday, that seemed to be the sentiment. About 75 people from furniture companies, suppliers and industry trade o...

3/22/2012

Former USDA Undersecretary to leads Carlton Owen lecture

A former senior administrator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is this year’s guest for Mississippi State’s 2012 Carlton N. Owen Lecture Series.

Mark E. Rey, undersecretary for natural resources and environment from 2001-09, will lead the March 28 public program. His presentation begins at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of ...

3/20/2012

MSU’s kenaf research developed into products

A fibrous plant researched at Mississippi State University may end up at the Olympics in the form of a specialty gun stock.

"We’re exploring how to make a commercial product out of an agricultural byproduct and kenaf, a quick-growing plant," said Dan Seale, forest products professor in MSU’s Forest and Wildlife Re...

3/8/2012

Place trees to reduce storm damage risks

A storm-resistant landscape design and consistent tree health monitoring can save cities and property owners time and money.

"Well-designed landscapes are easier to maintain and reduce the risk of damage from a fallen tree or limb," said John Kushla, a Mississippi State University Extension Service forestry specialist and ass...

3/8/2012

Forestry workshop helps Scouts get badges

More than 200 Boy Scouts in the Andrew Jackson Council met at Hood Boy Scout Camp in Hazlehurst Feb. 11 for a workshop to help them earn their forestry merit badge.

Instructors from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Mississippi Forestry Association and Weyerhaeuser Company taught the s...

2/16/2012

Webinar shows how to capitalize on wildlife

The Mississippi State University Extension Service will offer an online webinar series from Feb. 16 through March 22 for landowners and those interested in wildlife and fisheries enterprises.

Six sessions will be held on consecutive Thursdays at 11:30 CST for registered participants in five states: Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ala...

2/10/2012

Alternative energy found in timber

Producing and using alternative energy is more important now than ever before, and scientists at Mississippi State University are focusing on timber as a possible source for energy.

"Whether you buy into the idea of climate change or not, we are all interested in protecting the environment," said Randy Rousseau, a forestry res...

2/9/2012

Timber tax short courses scheduled

The Mississippi State University Extension Service will offer timber tax workshops Feb. 28 in Raymond, March 1 in Coffeeville and March 29 in Oxford.

Landowners, certified accountants, consulting foresters and loggers are invited to participate in the Income Taxes and Family Forest short course. Topics include changes to capital gains ...

1/30/2012

MSU event will help girls discover outdoor careers

Young women interested in wildlife, fisheries and natural science careers can apply for the second annual discovery day to be held at Mississippi State University.

The Conservation Careers Discovery Day will begin at 4 p.m. March 30 and conclude at 6 p.m. March 31. Participants will learn outdoor skills such as GPS orienteering, canoei...

1/20/2012

New MSU book provides vital resource to land managers

A new publication designed to assist both landowners and scientists in managing moist-soil wetland plants is the work of graduate students and a postdoctoral research associate at Mississippi State.

"A Guide to Moist-soil Wetland Plants of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley" (University Press of Mississippi) now is available in ...

1/17/2012

MSU offers squirrel hunt events for youth

Several wildlife groups will assist in seven events across the state for future hunters on Feb. 11 in an effort to lay the foundation for safe and responsible hunting.

Mississippi State University’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture is partnering with the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, the Mississippi Department...

1/12/2012

2011 forest products harvest tops $1 billion

Low national home construction levels and relatively dry weather resulted in a slightly lower year-end harvest value for Mississippi forest products, but the preliminary estimate still exceeds $1 billion.

"At $1.04 billion, the preliminary harvest value is a decrease of less than 1 percent from the previous year’s harvest va...

12/15/2011

MSU names Burger as new associate director

Loren "Wes" Burger Jr. has been named associate director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center at Mississippi State University effective Dec. 16.

As associate director, Burger will manage all sponsored programs in MAFES and FWRC and work on other related pr...

12/8/2011

MSU study finds green in stopping kudzu invasion

Kudzu can grow a foot per day, and today it covers nearly seven million acres in the South.

Now listed as a federal noxious weed, kudzu was imported to prevent soil erosion and to feed livestock. The semi-woody plant covers large tracts of land from eastern Texas to the East Coast and as far north as Maryland. Kudzu climbs, covers and ...

12/1/2011

MSU scientists search for bears in Missouri

Scientists at Mississippi State University are working with biologists in Missouri’s Ozarks to get the "bear" facts on one of the largest mammals in the Southeast.

The Missouri Black Bear Project, which will be completed next year, is expected to provide valuable information on estimating populations in Mississippi. A stud...

11/22/2011

Leopold selected Fellow of international organization

The head of Mississippi State’s wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture department is a new Fellow in The Wildlife Society.

Bruce D. Leopold is being recognized for exceptional service to the wildlife profession. He long has been active in several professional organizations, including service in 2009 as Wildlife Society president.

11/21/2011

Real Christmas trees offer benefits, memories

Each year, many Mississippians must decide whether to buy a live or an artificial tree to celebrate the Christmas season.

John Kushla, Mississippi State University Extension forestry specialist at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, said artificial trees are usually less expensive than real trees and can last for many ...

11/15/2011

Biomass and bioenergy course set for Dec. 8

A biomass and bioenergy short course for local government officials, businesses, landowners, foresters and loggers will be held on Dec. 8.

Experts from Mississippi State University’s Extension Service, the university&rsquo's Forest and Willdlife Research Center, and the Mississippi Technology Alliance will share information about...

11/9/2011

Discovery works toward efficient cottonwood production

In a quest to identify economically and agriculturally sustainable biofuels to reduce dependence on foreign energy suppliers, U.S. scientists and engineers constantly are identifying methods of converting biomass into biofuel products.

According to scientists at Mississippi State, much research also is ongoing with a focus on the most ...

11/3/2011

Internet, face-to-face options for hunter safety

Before heading to the woods this fall, hunters should investigate the legal seasons, education and license requirements governing hunting in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks offers convenient, year-round opportunities to help sportsmen of all ages meet the hunter education requirement. The option...

11/3/2011

Local-grown Christmas trees give fresh options

Freshness is the key to quality Christmas trees, and with choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms scattered across the state, all Mississippians can get a great tree every year.

John Kushla, forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona, said loc...

10/28/2011

MSU student forestry group named best in nation

Mississippi State’s student chapter of the Society of American Foresters is once again the best in the nation. The chapter competed with 75 chapters nationally for the recognition.

This is not the first national championship win for the 28-member organization, placing in the top three over the last 11 years.

Led by MSU ...

10/14/2011

Multi-year MSU study tracks tagged deer

Hunters in the Lowndes County area may find deer with colored ear tags wandering in the woods this fall.

The tagged deer are part of a Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center study to determine antler size and growth rates for wild, male, white-tailed deer.

The study objective is to determine if antle...

10/6/2011

Wildlife Society leader opens Carlton Owen lecture series

The president of The Wildlife Society will be the featured speaker Thursday [Sept. 22] at Mississippi State’s 2011 Carlton N. Owen Lecture Series.

Tom Ryder is wildlife management coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish. His public presentation begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Tully Auditorium of Thompson Hall.

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9/20/2011

New science program targets skills, scores

An innovative partnership between Starkville School District and Mississippi State University teaches key science concepts in a week-long intensive immersion program for fourth and fifth graders.

"Our goal is to give students a fun, safe and educational forum in which to generate enthusiasm and interest in science and the environ...

9/8/2011

Aid available to prevent Southern pine beetles

Pine beetles are a threat when trees are stressed, but a cost-share program can help Mississippi private forest landowners keep trees healthy.

Andy Londo, professor in MSU's Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said proactive management activities, such as periodic thinning, can increase overall forest health and reduce the threat of a...

8/18/2011

MSU study finds market exists for timber insurance

The tornadoes that ripped through Mississippi this April damaged about 74,000 acres of forestland in 22 counties, racking up timber losses of more than $30 million. Most of that timber was uninsured, but the results of a survey conducted by Mississippi State University may help change that trend.

Steve Bullard was one of those uninsur...

8/11/2011

Poor forestry prices mean growing supply

It’s not the heat or drought but the economy, specifically poor housing starts, that are causing grief for Mississippi’s forestry industry in 2011.

James Henderson, forestry economist and management specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the slow economy is hurting the industry.

&...

8/5/2011

Manage land, herd for bigger, better deer

Trophy bucks and high-quality deer herds are not the result of random chance, but of planned management of habitat and harvests.

"The white-tailed deer is likely the most economically and ecologically important animal in Mississippi," said Bronson Strickland, wildlife management specialist with the Mississippi State Universit...

8/4/2011

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