MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & COmmERCE • CINDY HYDE-SmITH, COmmISSIONER VOLUME 89 NUMBER 10 MAY 15, 2017 JACKSON, MS Drought Projected to Dock From Hay Harvest By Robert Nathan Gregory using warm-season annuals such could also occur earlier than usual MSU Extension Service as millet, crabgrass and sorghum- due to warm-season forage breaking sudangrass hybrids as a quick return dormancy ahead of schedule. Last year’s drought will likely for grazing this summer, he added. “There is a forecast of possible affect this year’s hay acreage in “These forages produce ample drought conditions this summer, Mississippi. amounts of quality dry matter for so growers need to start thinking Rocky Lemus, forage specialist 60-120 days of grazing, depending about contingency plans to maintain with the Mississippi State University on stocking rates and grazing man- forage productivity,” Lemus said. Extension Service, said he antici- agement,” Rushing said. “Pastures “Those will include fertilization, pates about 690,000 hay acres. The can then be converted into a cool- rotating pastures, providing rest and state had about 750,000 acres devot- season annual in the fall once they sometimes evaluating livestock in- have been grazed out.” ed to hay production in 2016. ventory. Pasture rest and recovery is Long-range forecasts indicate Mississippi livestock producers an important component of a graz- heavily depend on perennial warm- more of the same conditions for ing system, and overgrazing can lead season grasses -- mostly bahiagrass growers this summer. High heat will to stand loss, greater weed competi- and bermudagrass -- for their graz- help the No. 1 pest for Mississippi tion and economic losses.” ing systems. The state had just forage: armyworms. Visit the MSU Extension website’s over 900,000 acres of bahiagrass “Above-average temperatures, com- section on soil testing at http:// and 770,000 acres of bermudagrass bined with a rainfall deficit from last extension.msstate.edu/lawn-and- Mississippi State University Extension Service forage specialist Rocky fall, are somewhat optimal condi- garden/soil-testing to find out more Lemus inspects wheat interseeded with balansa clover at the H.H. Leveck tions for outbreaks to take place about samples and how to send them Animal Research Center in Starkville, Mississippi, on April 20, 2017. this summer,” Rushing said. “Pop- (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Kevin Hudson) ulations are determined by moth to the Extension Soil Testing Labo- migrations from south Florida and ratory. last year. Stand losses and hay field pastures and hay fields, determine Central America. Timing of these Current and past issues of the renovations are expected to drive stand losses, and develop a man- migrations will influence their MSU Extension forage newsletter bermudagrass production down 10 agement plan that could help with effects on Mississippi producers.” are available at http://extension.ms- percent. pasture renovation or pasture res- Lemus noted that infestations state.edu/newsletters/forage-news. Despite last year’s dry conditions, toration,” he said. “Growers who rainfall totals have been closer to have planted annual ryegrass into a average this spring, causing bermu- bermudagrass or bahiagrass sod for Upcoming Forage Field Days dagrass and bahiagrass to break dor- winter grazing should put a heavy mancy at least two weeks before they grazing pressure this time of year to May 23, 2017 normally do across the state. Lemus open that canopy and allow the re- MS/LA Forage Field Day, Tylertown, MS said this will allow early grazing and, lease of the summer grasses.” perhaps, early production. Brett Rushing, Extension and re- “Because of the mild winter, we search professor at the MSU Coastal June 2, 2017 also have seen an increase in winter Plain Branch Experiment Station in Jefferson Davis/Lawrence Counties weed pressure,” he said. “Control- Newton, said renovating pastures Forage Field Day, New Hebron, MS ling those weeds, along with taking is an expensive process that causes a soil sample to determine nutrient growers to temporarily lose grazing management recommendations that areas during establishment. June 13, 2017 will aid pasture recovery after the “When renovating, soil fertility Alcorn County Forage Field Day, Corinth, MS drought, is very important.” must be addressed before any plant- Pasture management and produc- ing event,” Rushing said. “Unfortu- tivity are equally important, Lemus nately, seed costs for a lot of warm- June 16, 2017 added. The ideal time to have sum- season grasses this year are very mer pastures ready for grazing can high. Production was limited due to Warm-season Forage Field Day, Starkville, MS range from mid-April in the south last year’s drought, so supplies are to mid-May in the northern part of short.” For more information call 662-325-7718 the state. Producers who may be interested or contact your local County Extension Service. “Now is a good time to walk your in renovating pastures can consider Page 2 MISSISSIPPI MARKET BULLETIN May 15, 2017 From Our Kitchen To Yours Goodness from Grains ***************************************** Bacon Sweet Potato Cornbread Strawberry Quinoa Salad 5 slices bacon 1 cup quinoa Cindy Hyde-Smith 1 1/4 cups cornmeal 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons lemon juice Commissioner 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato 2 cups baby spinach, or to taste Mississippi Department of 1 cup buttermilk 2 cups walnuts Agriculture & Commerce 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 4-ounce container feta cheese, crumbled 121 North Jefferson Street 1/2 cup thinly sliced strawberries, or to taste Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Cook and stir bacon in a 9-inch Jackson, MS 39201 cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until browned, about Place quinoa in a saucepan. Pour two cups water over quinoa; Phone: 601-359-1100 10 minutes. Remove and chop bacon, leaving one tablespoon bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover. Simmer until quinoa is www.mdac.ms.gov of bacon drippings in skillet. Whisk cornmeal, salt, and baking tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain; cool. Combine lemon juice soda in a bowl. Stir sweet potato, buttermilk, and eggs together and olive oil in a small bowl; stir until dressing is combined. Ag Museum in a separate bowl until thoroughly combined. Stir sweet potato Pour half of the quinoa into a large salad bowl. Add one handful 601-432-4500 mixture into dry ingredients and mix chopped bacon into batter. of baby spinach; stir together. Add one handful of walnuts, feta Pour batter into the cast-iron skillet. Bake cornbread in the cheese, and strawberries; stir until mixed. Repeat layering and Agricultural Theft Bureau preheated oven until browned and bread feels firm to the touch, stirring quinoa, spinach, feta cheese, and strawberries until all 1-800-678-2660 about 30 minutes. Turn cornbread onto a serving plate and cut ingredients are mixed together. Top with dressing. Aquaculture into wedges for serving. 601-359-1102 Wild Rice and Pepper Salad Board of Animal Health Apple Raisin Bread 601-359-1170 2 cups long grain rice and wild rice mix, cooked 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper Bureau of Plant Industry 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper 662-325-3390 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup chopped green onion 1 teaspoon salt Consumer Protection 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon 601-359-1148 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup packed brown sugar Fairgrounds/Coliseum 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup rolled oats 601-961-4000 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 1 1/2 cups grated apple Fruits & Vegetables 1/4 cup chopped walnuts Combine cooked rice, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, green 601-359-1159 1/4 cup raisins onion, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir 2 eggs the mayonnaise into the rice mixture. Cover and refrigerate un- International Trade 1/4 cup milk til cold, about one hour. 601-359-1196 1/4 cup vegetable oil Keep Mississippi Beautiful Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2- Honey Peanut Granola 601-359-1100 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, Livestock Market News baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and oats. 3 cups quick cooking oats 601-359-1159 Add apple, nuts, raisins, eggs, milk, and oil. Mix until dry ingre- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts dients are moistened; pour mixture into loaf pan. Bake for 55 to 1/4 cup wheat germ Market Development 60 minutes, or until done. 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