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Better Farming Radio: 2003 Archive December 29-31, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Rice Specialist Dr. Joe Street talks about the factors that contributed to a 78 percent increase in the farm value of Mississippi rice production in 2003. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Erick Larson explains why the farm value of wheat production in Mississippi dropped 20 percent from 2002. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Erick Larson talks about how Mississippi's grain sorghum crop fared in 2003. MP3 December 22-26, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine talks about the factors that helped the farm value of soybeans in Mississippi rise 50 percent in 2003. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Erick Larson talks about the record production year Mississippi corn producers had in 2003. MP3 Wednesday: Dr. David Lang, associate professor of Agronomy at MSU, talks about Mississippi's 2003 hay crop. MP3 Thursday: MSU Beef Cattle Specialist Blair McKinley talks about the outstanding year Mississippi beef cattle producers had in 2003. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Fisheries Specialist Dr. Marty Brunson explains how recycling your natural Christmas tree can help your fishing next spring. MP3 December 15-19, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson talks about the factors that helped the value of farm production in Mississippi reach a record $5.624 billion in 2003. MP3 Tuesday: Dr. Wallace Morgan, head of the Poultry Science Department at MSU, explains how the value of poultry production in Mississippi rose 13 percent in 2003. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty talks about the record-setting year Mississippi cotton producers had in 2003, a year in which the farm value of cotton production was an estimated $780 million, up 78 percent from 2002. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Mark Crenshaw talks about the challenging year Mississippi hog producers had in 2003 despite an estimated 8 percent increase in the farm value of hog production. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Bob Daniels reviews the kind of year Mississippi's timber industry had in 2003. MP3 December 8-12, 2003 Monday: Dr. Bill Herndon, agricultural economist at MSU, provides his analysis of the dairy market situation and outlook. MP3 Tuesday: Dr. Terry Hanson, agricultural economist at MSU, provides details of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program and explains what catfish producers need to do to apply for program benefits. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West talks about the economic impact of wildlife recreation in the U.S. ($108 billion/year) and in Mississippi ($974 million/year). MP3 Thursday: Sammy Blossom, Executive Vice-President of the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association and Executive Director of the Mississippi Beef Council, talks about the benefits of the national beef check-off program and about what would happen if appeals to keep the program going fall short. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Trey DeLoach talks about the threat of forest fires in Mississippi and about what landowners can do to protect their homes and property from fire damage. MP3 December 1-5, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson analyzes the cotton and soybean markets. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Horticulturist Dr. David Nagel previews the Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Trade Show scheduled for Dec. 3-5 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Mobile, AL. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Nutrient Management Specialist Dr. Larry Oldham previews the first-ever Nutrient Management Symposium that will be held Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Bost Extension Building at MSU. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Dr. Jane Parish reviews the recent successful BCIA Bull sale and MAFES production sale. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Andy Londo shares some tips on fireplace safety. MP3 November 24-28, 2003 Monday: Tommy Gregory, state statistician with the Mississippi Agricultural Statistics Service, explains how his agency gathers crop, livestock and weather information for the hundreds of reports it compiles every year. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Aquaculture Specialist Dr. Jim Steeby provides an update on the catfish industry, an industry that has seen the pond bank price of fish rise lately, but soybean-based feed prices have risen at a faster pace. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Horticulturist Dr. John Braswell talks about Mississippi's 2,000-acre blueberry industry. MP3 Thursday: Roy Higdon, MSU Extension Animal Science and Forage Agent based in Quitman, explains how horse owners should care for their animals during the coming cold, rainy winter months. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Steve Dicke has tips on choosing and caring for the perfect Christmas tree. MP3 November 17-21, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Poultry Specialist Dr. Chris Fritts previews a series of poultry grower meetings that will be held in Laurel on Nov. 18, Forest on Nov. 20 and Brookhaven on Nov. 25. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West describes how a process called Quality Vegetation Management can greatly improve the quality of wildlife habitat in pine timber stands. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson talks about the factors that have helped beef cattle prices rise to record levels and about two policy-related issues that could affect prices in the near future. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Mark Crenshaw talks about the factors that should be considered when feeding the popular feed additive Paylean to hogs that will be shown in upcoming livestock shows. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Britton Hatcher talks about the potential of producing pine straw mulch for profit. MP3 November 10-14, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Rice Specialist Dr. Joe Street talks about the factors that contributed to the second highest-yielding rice crop ever in Mississippi. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Fisheries Specialist Dr. Marty Brunson explains why some farm pond owners should drop the water levels of their ponds this winter. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty previews the 20th annual Cotton Production Short Course to be held Dec. 3-5 at Mississippi State University. MP3 Thursday: Dr. Mike Boyd, professor of animal and dairy sciences at MSU, previews the 21st annual production sale scheduled for Nov. 20 at MSU. The sale features top quality horses and beef cattle from MSU research farms. MP3 Friday: Art Waymire of Byhalia, the Mississippi Forestry Association's 2003 "Tree Farmer of the Year" is featured. MP3 November 3-7, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty talks about the factors that contributed to Mississippi's record yielding cotton crop this year. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Erick Larson explains how Mississippi corn producers were able to harvest a record yielding crop. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Entomologist Dr. Blake Layton has tips on how to keep insects out of your home as they attempt to move to warmer environments for the winter. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Dr. Jane Parish explains how buying a bull at the Nov. 13 B.C.I.A. Bull Sale in Raymond can improve a producer's herd and make him or her more money. MP3 Friday: Tommy Netterville of Gloster, Mississippi, the 2003 Mississippi Forestry Association's Outstanding Logger of the Year, is featured. MP3 October 27-31, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. Charlie Forrest talks about the outlook for beef cattle prices that currently are at record high levels. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Agricultural Economist Dr. Bill Herndon provides his analysis of the dairy market situation and outlook and talks about participation levels in the voluntary, producer-funded self-help program designed to reduce milk production. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Horticulturist Dr. David Nagel talks about the size of Mississippi's pumpkin industry and the quality of this year's crop. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Dairy Specialist Dr. Angelica Chapa previews the 14th annual Mississippi/Louisiana Dairy Management Conference that will be held Nov. 6 at the Southwest Events Center in Tylertown. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Steve Dicke uses a tongue-in-cheek approach this Halloween and tells listeners how to kill their shade trees. MP3 October 20-24, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine talks about Mississippi's record-yielding soybean crop and about some of the late-season problems that soybeans producers had to overcome. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson talks about the recent crop production estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its impact on row crop prices. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Erick Larson has timely tips on wheat planting, seeding rates, and fertility. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Blair McKinley has tips for beef cattle producers on making some of the usual, but critical, decisions they face each fall. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Debbie Gaddis previews a series of timber tax short courses that will be held throughout Mississippi in November. MP3 October 13-17, 2003 Monday: Dr. Susan Holder, State Program Leader for the 4-H Youth Development Program inn Mississippi, talks about the successful 4-H program that benefits more than 100,000 young Mississippians every year. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Agricultural Economist Dr. Bill Herndon talks about the reasons for the recent increase in farm milk prices and provides his outlook for milk prices in the coming months. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West discusses what's being done to keep chronic wasting disease out of Mississippi's deer herd. MP3 Thursday: Mike Shinn, a commercial hog producer from Cedar Bluff, talks about an energy recycling project in which he will capture methane gas from his swine barns and use the gas to heat and power his operation. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Debbie Gaddis talks about what's new in timber taxes and explains how landowners can keep up with changes in timber-related tax laws. MP3 October 6-10, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Weed Scientist Dr. John Byrd provides an update on the spread of cogongrass in Mississippi and tells landowners how to control this invasive weed. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Poultry Specialist Dr. Berry Lott explains how poultry producers can counter the effects of high natural gas prices. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Engineer Jim Thomas talks about water conservation practices that farmers can apply when irrigating row crops. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Livestock Agent Kipp Brown previews the meat and dairy goat shows that will be held Oct. 10-12 at the Mississippi State Fair in Jackson. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Trey DeLoach explains how chemical site preparation can be the key to the successful beginning of a pine timber stand. MP3 September 29-October 3, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine provides an update on the soybean harvest in Mississippi. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty advises cotton producers on how to manage their late-season cotton. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Turfgrass Specialist Dr. Wayne Wells provides some timely fall lawn care tips. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension 4-H Livestock Specialist Gale Chrestman previews the junior livestock shows and events that will be held Oct. 2-11 during the Mississippi State Fair in Jackson. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Bob Daniels explains why forest landowners should get involved in teaching children about forestry. MP3 September 22-26, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty talks about the yield potential of this year's cotton crop and provides timely defoliation and harvesting tips to cotton producers. MP3 Tuesday: Sept. 21-27 is National Farm Safety and Health Week. MSU Extension Agricultural Engineer Herb Willcutt talks about the dangers of farming and offers tips on how to prevent work-related accidents on the farm. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West talks about the factors that contribute to large antlers for white-tailed deer and the management practices that produce large-antlered deer. MP3 Thursday: Dr. Mike Martin with MSU's Food Science Institute talks about the new value-added pre-cooked beef products that are showing up on grocery store meat counters. MP3 Friday: Eleana Pope, Director of Communications with the Mississippi Forestry Association, previews the association's annual meeting that will be held Oct. 22-24 at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw. MP3 September 15-19, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty provides an update on the cotton harvest in Mississippi. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Erick Larson provides tips for farmers who intend to plant winter wheat next month. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. Charlie Forrest talks about the outlook for hog prices. MP3 Thursday: Host Tyson Gair reports on the history and successes of Mississippi State University's livestock judging team and about the benefits of being on the team. The program includes interviews with the current coach Tommy Shields, retired coach Dr. Howard Miller and former team members Dick DeMuth of Senatobia, MS and Trent Tolar of Columbia, MS. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Marc Measells talks about the benefits of hunting leases to private timberland owners. MP3 September 8-12, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Rice Specialist Dr. Joe Street talks about the rice crop harvest in Mississippi and previews the Rice Luncheon that will be held at Delta State University in Cleveland on Sept. 19. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Fisheries Specialist Dr. Marty Brunson talks about how hot weather affects farm ponds and what pond owners can do to counter the effects of the heat. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Horticulturist Dr. David Nagel has tips on planting cool-season greens. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Blair McKinley has tips on how to manage a beef cattle operation to take advantage of the current high prices. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Steve Dicke explains why some timberland owners need to plant containerized pine tree seedlings. MP3 September 1-5, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine talks about harvest progress of what he describes as the potentially best-yielding soybean crop ever in Mississippi. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson talks about some of the reasons beef cattle prices are at unusually high levels for this time of the year. MP3 Wednesday: Dr. Bill Herndon, agricultural economist at MSU, talks about the market factors that helped farm milk prices jump 20 percent in one month. MP3 Thursday: Dr. Terry Smith, assistant professor of Animal and Dairy Sciences at MSU, previews the North Mississippi Beef and Dairy Field Day scheduled for Sept. 18 at the North Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Holly Springs. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Steve Dicke previews the LA/MS Christmas Tree Association's annual meeting scheduled for Sept. 20-21 at the Columbia Expo Center in Columbia, MS. MP3 August 25-29, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty talks about the condition of Mississippi's cotton crop and what producers can do to improve the yield potential of their cotton crops. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West has tips on planting food plots for deer. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Aquaculture Specialist Dr. Jim Steeby talks about changes in Mississippi's catfish acreage. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Mark Crenshaw talks about what's required of people who buy hogs out-of-state for show and breeding purposes. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forestry Agent Don Bales explains why it's more important how a wildlife food plot is planted than what is planted in the food plot. MP3 August 18-22, 2003 Monday: Dr. Jim Miller, a wildlife biologist with the MSU Extension Service, previews the Cooperative Dove Field Demonstration Field Day to be held Saturday, August 23, at the Black Prairie Wildlife Management Area near Columbus. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Nutrient Management Specialist Dr. Larry Oldham talks about a new environmental education program the MSU Extension Service will offer to farmers beginning in 2005. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Agricultural Economist Dr. Terry Hanson talks about where farm catfish prices might be headed over the next few months. MP3 Thursday: Webb Flowers, coordinator of MSU's Integrated Resource Management program, explains how IRM can help a beef cattle producer better manage his or her farming operation. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Britton Hatcher talks about Title III, an option that Mississippi County Boards of Supervisors have to fund forest-related educational programs in counties with reduced income from National Forests. MP3 August 11-15, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty provides an update on Mississippi's cotton crop and talks about what cotton producers can do in August to maximize their yield potential. MP3 Tuesday: Jim Quinn, marketing specialist with the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation provides marketing strategy advice to cotton, soybean and corn producers. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Corn Specialist Dr. Erick Larson advises corn producers on whether to let their corn dry in the fields or harvest it sooner at higher moisture levels. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Blair McKinley advises beef cattle producers on how to get ready for winter feeding. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Britton Hatcher talks about a few simple things timberland owners can do to enhance their wildlife habitats. MP3 August 4-8, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine provides an update on Mississippi's soybean crop and talks about the potential for insect damage to soybeans. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Agricultural Economist Dr. Bill Herndon talks about the recent sharp increase in farm milk prices and provides his outlook for milk prices for the rest of the year. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Agricultural Economist Dr. Bill Herndon explains how the new Cooperatives Working Together program will help reduce milk production and improve farm milk prices. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Mark Crenshaw explains how farmers can apply for grant money to carry out sustainable farming practices on their operations. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Trey DeLoach talks about what it takes to grow Black Walnut trees in Mississippi and the South. MP3 July 28-August 1, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West talks about the upcoming dove hunting seasons in Mississippi, the "ring-necked" dove and how to prepare a legal, effective dove field. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Horticulturist Dr. David Nagel explains how commercial producers and home gardeners can plant another crop of warm-season vegetables. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Entomologist Dr. James Jarratt provides timely tips on controlling and protecting yourself from insects such as mosquitoes, redbugs, fire ants and ticks. MP3 Thursday: Dr. Terry Kiser, head of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at MSU, explains how the U.S. has the safest beef supply in the world. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Trey DeLoach explains why it's important for every timberland owner to have a forest management plan. MP3 July 21-25, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. Charlie Forrest talks about the July 11 U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supply/Demand report and its impact on crop prices. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson talks about the impact of the Canadian Mad Cow disease incident on U.S. cattle markets. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Turfgrass Specialist Dr. Wayne Wells provides some midsummer turf management tips. MP3 Thursday: Dr. Scott Willard, assistant professor of Animal and Dairy Sciences at MSU, discusses a new biophotonics research project at MSU that uses light and heat as measures of biological processes in livestock. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Bob Daniels provides the results of the statewide 4-H forestry competition. MP3 July 14-18, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine provides an update on Mississippi's potentially record-yielding soybean crop. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Fisheries Specialist Dr. Marty Brunson provides farm pond management and fishing tips. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Poultry Specialist Dr. Berry Lott has tips on keeping broilers cool during the hot summer months. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Mark Crenshaw talks about the Swine Welfare Assurance Program. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. John Auel talks about timber theft and how to prevent it. MP3 July 7-11, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty provides an update on Mississippi's cotton crop, saying the 2003 crop is in as wide a stage of development as he has seen in his 20+ year career. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Engineer Jim Thomas says despite recent heavy rains over much of Mississippi, row-crop producers need to stay on top of their crops' need for water. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Corn Specialist Dr. Erick Larson explains how rainy weather has affected this year's corn crop in Mississippi. MP3 Thursday: MSU Food Science Institute Researcher Dr. Mike Martin talks about the importance of using a meat thermometer when grilling or cooking ground beef. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Debbie Gaddis explains how recent tax changes will affect timberland owners. MP3 June 30 - July 4, 2003 Monday: MSU Agricultural Economist Dr. Bill Herndon provides his analysis of the dairy market and his outlook for milk prices for the rest of the year. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West talks about the Mississippi 4-H Field and Stream program, one of the most rapidly growing 4-H programs with more than 12,000 youth involved. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Entomologist Dr. Blake Layton talks about several destructive insects that cotton producers need to watch for during July. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension 4-H Livestock Specialist Gale Chrestman talks about , a new web site where horse owners can get answers to all their horse-related questions. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Marc Measells explains why it's important for timberland owners to make sure their mailing addresses are up-to-date at their local tax office. MP3 June 23-27, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Horticulturist Dr. David Nagel has timely tips for commercial producers and home gardeners who are growing sweet corn. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Nutrient Management Specialist Dr. Larry Oldham explains why every Mississippi farmer needs to take a personal interest in environmental stewardship. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. Charlie Forrest explains how to determine whether to hire a farm-related job done or whether to do it yourself. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Blair McKinley has tips on controlling flies in beef cattle operations. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Andy Londo explains why some pine timberland owners might consider fertilizing their trees. MP3 June 16-20, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson talks about the pros and cons of "country of origin labeling" and describes its implications to livestock and fruit and vegetable producers. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Aquaculture Specialist Dr. Jimmy Avery provides an update on what's going on in Mississippi's catfish industry. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Rice Specialist Dr. Joe Street provides an update on Mississippi's rice crop. MP3 Thursday: June is Dairy Month, and MSU Extension Dairy Specialist Dr. Angelica Chapa provides some surprising facts and figures about Mississippi's and the nation's dairy industry. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Andy Londo explains how homeowners in rural areas can protect their homes from wildfires. MP3 June 9-13, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine provides an update on Mississippi's soybean crop. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West has tips for farmers and homeowners on how to control deer damage. MP3 Wednesday: Jim Quinn, marketing specialist with the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, offers marketing strategy advice to corn, soybean and cotton producers. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Livestock Agent Kipp Brown previews the Dixie Youth Livestock Camp scheduled for July 23-25 at the Ted Kendall Ag. Complex on the Hinds Community College Campus in Raymond. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forestry Agent Don Bales talks about the different bark beetles that can attack pine trees and what tree owners can and should do about them. MP3 June 2-6, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Erick Larson tells corn producers how to counter the effects of wet, rainy weather on their corn crops. MP3 Tuesday: Dr. Bill Herndon, interim head of MSU's Department of Agricultural Economics, provides his analysis of the dairy market and his milk price projections for the rest of the year. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Turfgrass Specialist Dr. Wayne Wells provides some timely home lawn disease management tips. MP3 Thursday: Dr. Sherrill Fleming, associate professor with MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about mad cow disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and its potential threat to livestock and humans. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Debbie Gaddis talks about a new series of Master Tree Farmer satellite short courses that will be broadcast to Mississippi timberland owners next spring. MP3 May 26-30, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty provides an update on Mississippi's water-logged cotton crop. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Engineer Jim Thomas has timely irrigation tips for corn, soybean and cotton producers. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Entomologist Dr. James Jarratt has timely tips on controlling mosquitoes, fire ants, ticks, termites and redbugs. MP3 Thursday: Dr. Bill Herndon, interim head of MSU's Dept. of Agricultural Economics, describes the proposed producer-funded Cooperatives Working Together program that's designed to reduce the nation's milk supplies and raise farm milk prices. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Marc Measells talks about a series of free workshops that offer valuable money-making advice to timberland owners. MP3 May 19-23, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Fisheries Specialist Dr. Marty Brunson advises farm pond owners on how to control bothersome aquatic weeds. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West talks about the history of beavers in the U.S. and tells landowners how to control them and remove their dams. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson analyzes the beef cattle market and provides his outlook for beef cattle prices. Anderson also provides information about an upcoming meeting that will focus on the new "country of origin labeling" requirements set forth on the new farm bill. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Mark Crenshaw explains why now is the time for beef cattle, hog, dairy and poultry producers to have environmental reviews of their operations. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Glenn Hughes discusses the Safe Harbor program that benefits timberland owners while protecting animals on the endangered species list. MP3 May 12-16, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Poultry Specialist Dr. Berry Lott explains how poultry producers can minimize the negative impact of summertime heat on their birds. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Entomologist Dr. Blake Layton has tips on controlling costly early-season cotton insect pests. MP3 Wednesday: Jim Miller, Extension outreach specialist for natural resources, previews the National Symposium on Sustainable Natural Resource-Based Alternative Enterprises scheduled for May 28-31 at Mississippi State University. MP3 Thursday: Dr. Peter Ryan, assistant professor of animal and dairy sciences at MSU, talks about a new program at MSU that allows area horse owners to have their mares bred to high-quality stallions for a nominal fee. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Glenn Hughes describes the best way to plant longleaf pine seedlings in pasture settings. MP3 May 5-9, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. Charlie Forrest talks about the status of Mississippi's beef cattle industry. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Turfgrass Specialist Dr. Wayne Wells has tips on how to make your home lawn look better from now through the summer. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Horticulturist Dr. David Nagel explains how to determine if vegetables such as sweet corn and tomatoes need supplemental nitrogen fertilizer and advises producers on the best way to apply the nitrogen. MP3 Thursday: John Huston, facilities coordinator at the MAFES Prairie Research Unit near Aberdeen, talks about some of the biosecurity measures he is implementing at the research facility that dairy, beef cattle and hog producers could implement on their own operations. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Andy Londo has tree seedling ordering tips for timberland owners who plan to plant trees next winter. MP3 April 28-May 2, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Grain Crops Specialist Dr. Erick Larson has tips on how to get a grain sorghum crop off to a good start. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine provides an update on Mississippi's young soybean crop and on soybean planting progress. MP3 Wednesday: Dr. Bill Herndon, interim head of MSU's Dept. of Agricultural Economics, provides his analysis of where farm milk prices are and where they are headed. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Dairy Specialist Dr. Angelica Chapa previews the upcoming Statewide Dairy Field Day to be held on May 22 at the Southwest Events Center in Tylertown. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Bob Daniels provides an update on forest-based economic development in Mississippi. MP3 April 21-25, 2003 Monday: Jim Quinn, marketing specialist with the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, provides marketing strategy advice for corn and soybean producers. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West has tips on how to attract wildlife to your backyard. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Engineer Jim Thomas talks about the advantages and disadvantages of side-inlet irrigation, a relatively new way of irrigating rice. MP3 Thursday: Webb Flowers, Integrated Resource Management (IRM) coordinator for the MSU Extension Service, explains how the IRM program can help beef cattle producers improve the profitability of their operations. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Andy Londo explains how to manage pine stands to improve turkey habitat. MP3 April 14-18, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson talks about the impact of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's March 31 Planting Intention Report on crop prices and about what the report revealed about Mississippi's crop acreage in 2003. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Nutrient Management Specialist Dr. Larry Oldham talks about the availability and cost of nitrogen fertilizers in Mississippi this spring and about how producers can get the most out of their nitrogen fertilizers. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Entomologist Dr. James Jarratt talks about the outlook for West Nile Virus in Mississippi this year and about how farmers can protect themselves from mosquitoes that might carry the virus. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Dairy Specialist Dr. Angelica Chapa cautions dairy producers to be on the lookout for Mycoplasma mastitis in their dairy herds. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Dr. Laurie Grace explains what that orange, powdery material is that's appearing on pine trees and how to control it. MP3 April 7-11, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Cotton Specialist Dr. Will McCarty talks about some valuable things that cotton producers can do right before planting their crops. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Weed Scientist Dr. John Byrd describes a troublesome weed called Cogongrass and talks about what can be done to reduce its spread throughout Mississippi and the South. MP3 Wednesday: Dr. Terry Hanson, assistant professor of agricultural economics at MSU, explains why there's been a recent increase in the pond bank price of catfish. MP3 Thursday: MSU Extension Livestock and Forage Agent Lisa Stewart talks about the popular 4-H horse program and explains how youngsters can get involved. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Butch Bailey talks about the award-winning Wood Magic Science Fair, an educational program for fourth and fifth graders that teaches them about the importance and value of the wood products industry in Mississippi. MP3 March 31-April 4, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Alan Blaine has timely tips related to soybean planting and soybean seed availability. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Aquaculture Specialist Dr. Jim Steeby previews the 28th annual World Catfish Festival that will be held Sat., April 5 from 8:30-5:00 in Belzoni, Miss. MP3 Wednesday: MSU Extension Corn Specialist Dr. Erick Larson advises corn growers on how to get their young corn stands off to a good start. MP3 Thursday: MSU Agricultural Economist Dr. Bill Herndon explains why farm milk prices are down again to near 20-year lows. MP3 Friday: MSU Extension Forester Butch Bailey explains that contrary to popular belief, foresters and timberland owners are environmentalists. MP3 March 24-28, 2003 Monday: MSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Ben West talks about providing summer nutrition for white-tailed deer. MP3 Tuesday: MSU Extension Agricultural Economist Dr. John Anderson tells producers what they need to know about changes in the livestock compensation program.