The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) kicks off May with National Beef Month. Throughout May, we celebrate the contributions of the beef industry to the great state of Mississippi.

In 2023, Mississippi stood tall as a beacon of beef production. We witnessed a remarkable $406 million in production value for cattle and calves, a testament to the hard work of our farmers.

Mississippi has a total of 810,000 head of cattle. Each one represents not just a commodity, but a livelihood, a family's legacy, and a cornerstone of our agricultural heritage. From the sprawling pastures of our rural communities to the bustling markets and processing facilities, the entire beef supply chain in Mississippi embodies the spirit of hard work and commitment that defines us as a state.

As we celebrate National Beef Month, let us not only savor the delicious flavors of Mississippi beef but also reflect on the dedication of those who bring it to our tables. Our ranchers, farmers, processors, and distributors work tirelessly day in and day out to ensure that Mississippi beef remains second to none.

But our celebration goes beyond mere appreciation. It is also a call to action—a call to support our local beef industry, to invest in its future and to honor the traditions that have sustained us for generations. By choosing Mississippi beef, we not only nourish our bodies but also our communities and our economy. Beef. It's What's for Dinner!

Andy Gipson

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

MDAC DIVISION SPOTLIGHT

Mississippi Agricultural & Livestock

Theft Bureau

Brands Registrar

Director: Dean Barnard

Pictured: Mississippi Market Bulletin Editor Claude Nash's cattle with his registered brand that can be found in MALTB's brand registrar.

MDAC's Mississippi Agricultural & Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) manages a brand registrar for livestock brands in the State of Mississippi. MALTB encourages farmers to register and brand their cattle since branded livestock are rarely stolen. Currently, MALTB has almost 1,350 brands registered in its brand registrar.

Brands registered with MALTB expire in 5-year periods. The next expiration period will be June 30, 2027. A notice will go out in the mail around April 2027, giving everyone the opportunity to renew their brands. The renewal fee is $5. It is important to notify the MALTB office of any address change so you will be notified when it is time to renew your brand.

How can I register my brand?

-Complete the brand request form available on MDAC's website or by clicking the red button below.

-Email /mail/fax them to MALTB:

Email: brandie@mdac.ms.gov
Mail: PO Box 1609, Jackson MS 39215
Fax: 601-359-1166

-MALTB will need to approve the requested brand to ensure there is not an existing brand too similar or identical.

-Once approved, you will receive a registration packet. Do not order your branding irons until you have received a registration packet from MALTB!

-After the packet is completed and mailed back to MALTB with the $5 registration fee, the brand will be recorded.

MDAC STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

MDAC Staff Held a Round Table Discussion with Farmers Market Managers

Director of MDAC's Fruits & Vegetables and Produce Safety Divisions Kevin Riggin and Outreach Coordinator of MDAC's Produce Safety Division Davis Edwards held a roundtable discussion with Mississippi farmers market managers at MDAC headquarters in Jackson. This initiative provides managers the tools to prepare their vendors with the latest trainings and workshops MDAC has to offer to ensure safe produce for their local communities.

To explore educational opportunities and learn about produce safety for vendors growing fresh produce, visit www.mdac.ms.gov/regulatory-services/produce-safety-division.

MDAC Consumer Protection Staff Visited the Hernando Farmers Market

Consumer Protection Supervisor Rob Clanton recently visited with Gia Matheny at the Hernando Farmers Market in DeSoto County. The Consumer Protection Division visits the markets to test scales that are used for the purchase of fruits and vegetables by weight and checks package labeling of meat products to ensure compliance.

MDAC Regulatory Staff Member Completes Final Seminar for MDAC's Metrology Lab

Mauriuna Jackson is a Metrologist and works in the Bureau of Regulatory Services, Metrology Lab, located on the campus of Alcorn State University. Mauriuna completed the final seminar hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on our “Road to Recognition” journey for the Metrology Lab. The Metrology Lab certifies artifacts used by both State Officials and Industry to verify all weighing and measuring devices used in commerce. These artifacts include weights used by MDAC Consumer Protection and Weights & Measures inspectors to approve scales, and test measures used by the Petroleum Division inspectors to approve gas pumps.

MDAC's Weights and Measures Staff Member Visits Alaska to Train Alaska Inspectors

Weights and Measures Supervisor Greg Gholston visited Alaska at the invitation of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Weights & Measures Division to host a training for Alaska department inspectors. Greg, who is a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), certified Train the Trainer, instructed inspectors in the methods for conducting vehicle and axle load scale tests. Trainings similar to this one, are funded by the National Conference on Weights and Measures, Associate Membership.

MDAC Staff Held a Virtual Farmers Market Manager Workshop

Pictured: Public Relations Specialist Emma Dotson and Certified Farmers Market/Agritourism Program Director Katie Sansing.

Not pictured: Genuine MS Program Director Lane Milton.

MDAC staff held a virtual Farmers Market Managers Workshop to discuss data collection, cottage food regulation and marketing techniques for local farmers markets.

MDAC Staff Participated in the 2024 Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo

Pictured: Genuine MS Program Director Lane Milton, Commissioner Andy Gipson and Mississippi Market Bulletin Editor Claude Nash.

MDAC participated in the 2024 Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo to promote our Genuine MS® program and all things Grown, Raised, Crafted & Made in the Magnolia State! Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson spoke on the importance of Mississippi’s beef and poultry industries.

MDAC Staff and the Jackson Garden Club Attend Capitol Days

Pictured: Jackson Garden Club President Hollidae Morrison, MDAC County Correspondent Emily Stovall, MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry Staff Member Kacey Watson and MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry Director Laura Vollor.

As part of our Capitol Days tabling series, MDAC staff and Jackson Garden Club members educated legislators and Capitol staff about the Bureau of Plant Industry and Native Plant Month! The garden club also distributed native plant seeds.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson Announces May 2024 Wild Hog Control Program Application Period

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will be accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP) beginning May 1, 2024. The application period will close on May 15. Landowners and property managers in all Mississippi counties are eligible for the application period.

“Wild hogs continue to be a huge nuisance to farmers and landowners across the state and nation, causing severe property damage and large economic losses,” said Commissioner Gipson. “I encourage anyone experiencing problems with wild hogs on private agricultural or forestry lands in Mississippi to apply for the use of Wild Hog Control Program traps.”

In Mississippi alone, wild hogs cause more than $60 million in damages annually. Through the WHCP, MDAC provides “smart” wild hog traps to landowners and managers for the control of wild hogs on private agricultural and forestry lands in Mississippi. MDAC provides the training necessary to use the “smart” traps and technical guidance regarding the most effective methods to trap and control wild hogs on private lands.

Applications must be completed and submitted online at www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp. Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property and current trapping efforts on the property. A cooperative application is encouraged for small acreage (i.e., adjoining land managers of small parcels should work together to submit one application). Traps will be available for one-month intervals, dependent upon use and success. One trap per 500 – 1,000 acres is recommended, depending on landscape and land use.

Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp for program guidelines, applications and additional information. Submit questions regarding the WHCP to Chris McDonald at chris@mdac.ms.gov.

MALTB Investigators Recover Stolen Ag Equipment in Hinds County

This week, the Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) recovered stolen agricultural equipment, with an estimated value of $210,000, in Hinds County.

On April 30, 2024, the Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau was asked to assist in the investigation of a stolen Cat 299D3 skid steer stolen out of Copiah County.

The initial report was taken by the Copiah County Sheriff’s Office. The equipment was being used to clear beetle infested timber along highways and utility right aways. During the course of this investigation, investigators uncovered information that led them to an area in rural Hinds County.

MALTB investigators, along with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office investigations, Hinds County Patrol Division and Hinds County Emergency Operations Center, were able to locate and recover the stolen equipment. Though unrelated to the initial report, a 16-foot enclosed trailer that was reported stolen in Hinds County last month was also recovered at the scene.

The skid steer with mulching head is valued at approximately $196,000, and the trailer is valued at approximately $14,000. MALTB Director Dean Barnard said, “This investigation and the recovery of $210,000 in combined ag equipment was a law enforcement team effort. This is an open and ongoing criminal investigation.”

Director Barnard would like to commend all his MALTB investigators, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Hinds County Patrol Division and Hinds County Emergency Operations Center for their continued effort in the recovery of stolen equipment.

MDAC Celebrates National Egg Month

To learn more about how you can incorporate eggs into your life, visit the American Egg Board's website at: https://www.incredibleegg.org/

The 2023-2024 Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council Concludes

The Mississippi Agriculture Youth Council visited McClain Lodge in Brandon, MS. While at the lodge the council toured the grounds and interacted with exotic species.

The members also heard from two veterinarians, Dr. Kirby Sills about his experience as an exotic veterinarian at McClain lodge and MDAC's Dr. Hope Martin about high fence regulations, the various duties of MS Board of Animal Health, and her time and experience as a veterinarian.

The meeting concluded with the youth council program leaders Emily Stovall and Nick Hall presenting the members with end-of-year certificates along with signed photographs of Commissioner Andy Gipson and each council member.

Ag Commissioner Gipson Applauds USDA Approval of Emergency Forest Restoration Program

EFRP Assistance Available for all Counties in Mississippi

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson applauds the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) for approving all 82 Mississippi counties for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to address extensive private lands forest losses and damage due to severe drought and related insect infestation. The EFRP application period runs from April 15, 2024, to August 15, 2024.

“I want to thank our Congressional Delegation for their efforts in requesting assistance for Mississippi’s tree farmers and forest landowners who were terribly impacted by the historic drought of 2023,” said Commissioner Gipson. “The Emergency Forest Restoration Program will provide much needed relief to begin restoring Mississippi forests damaged by the drought and, subsequently, the southern pine beetles. I highly encourage all affected landowners to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for assistance.”

According to USDA, the Emergency Forest Restoration Program is a cost-share program that provides financial and technical assistance to owners of nonindustrial private forestland (NIPF) to restore NIPF damaged by a qualifying natural disaster event. After applications are received, local FSA county committees determine land eligibility using on-site damage inspections that assess the type and extent of damage and approve applications. 

The following requirements for participation in EFRP include:  

Restoration must be completed to meet the Natural Resources Conservation Service and/or state forestry agency technical standards. 
Participants must document and keep records of all costs incurred, including costs associated with personal labor, to complete the restoration activities.
The minimum qualifying cost of restoration is $1,000. 
The program’s payment limitation is $500,000.

Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson Joined USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to India

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson joined the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agribusiness Trade Mission to New Delhi, India. According to USDA, this trade mission to India represents the largest trade mission led by USDA.

“I am honored to join the USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to India. Actually, this represents my second official trip to India on behalf of the State of Mississippi,” said Commissioner Gipson. “As the world’s most populated nation and with India’s growing economy and increasing middle-class population, there is tremendous potential to further strengthen our trading relationship with India.”

The delegation included 47 U.S. businesses and organizations, as well as officials from 11 State Departments of Agriculture, seeking to expand the global reach for American food and agricultural producers. Commissioner Gipson serves on the Executive Board as the Immediate Past-President of the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA), a 14-member federally funded state organization that covered his travel expenses. Commissioner Gipson and fellow delegation members engaged in targeted business-to-business meetings and site visits to build new trade linkages, strengthen existing partnerships, observe U.S. products in the marketplace and discover the latest Indian consumer food trends.

Mississippi Egg Marketing Board Announces 2024 Easter Coloring Contest Winners

from Hinds, Scott and Jefferson Davis Counties

The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board announced the winners of its annual Easter Coloring Contest. Contestants submitted entries on Saturday, March 30, during the annual Easter festivities at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum.

The contest was open to all Mississippi school children ages 4 to 9 years old. Over 100 Mississippi school children visiting the Ag Museum from around the state participated in the contest. The winner of each age division received a $50.00 gift.

The winner of the 4-5 years old age division was Ava Adams, the 5-year-old daughter of Chamberland and Ashley Adams of Byram. Ava is a Kindergarten student at Gary Road Elementary School in Byram. The winner of the 6-7 years old division was Anna Layten Davis, the 6-year-old daughter of Quinton and Lauren Davis. Anna Layten is a first-grade student at Lake Elementary School in Lake. In the 8-9 years old division, the winner was Chelsea Bounds. Chelsea, a student at New Hebron Attendance Center in New Hebron, is the 8-year-old daughter of Anna Reiff.

Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum Hosted Sheep to Shawl Event

The Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum hosted "Sheep to Shawl" April 6, 2024. The Museum event included a live sheep shearing, an exhibit of wool being spun into yarn, a display of cloth being woven on looms and provided weaving activities for all ages.

The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board Hosted its Annual Easter at the Ag Museum Event

The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board hosted their annual “Easter at the Ag Museum” Event, giving families from around the state the opportunity to enjoy all things egg. Activities included egg dyeing, face painting, the Bunny Trail, story time, train, wagon and carousel rides, games, a coloring contest, heritage museum tours and barnyard fun.

Mississippi Farmers Market Tea Party Event Brimmed with Attendees

The Mississippi Farmers Market Tea Party took place April 13, 2024. The Market featured Genuine MS® Grown teas from Mississippi tea growers across the state including Pearl River Tea Company, Yazoo Yaupon and Hickory Heal Farm. The Mississippi Farmers Market also welcomed Keep Mississippi Beautiful and performances from the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra.

USDA Declares All 82 Mississippi Counties Disaster Designation Areas

Farmers across the state are now eligible for federal emergency assistance after Mississippi was declared a disaster area following last year’s drought.

March 25, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack declared all 82 counties in the state a disaster area due to the past year's harsh weather conditions.

For more information about USDA disaster assistance programs click the button below:

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum to Host Night on the Town Event

The Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum will hold its Night on the Town event 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. May 4, 2024. This event is perfect for couples planning a date night or individuals looking for a night out! With the purchase of admission, guests will receive a complimentary drink ticket and heavy hors d’oeuvres presented by the Tasty Side of Agriculture. While here, enjoy a special viewing on the big screen of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, dance to music, play yard games, and go for a stroll through Small Town, Mississippi. Night on the Town is an outdoor event taking place rain or shine!

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Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce to Host Inbound Wood Trade Mission

2022 Inbound Trade Mission participants tour a lumber yard.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) will host a 2024 Mississippi Inbound Wood Species Trade Mission for wood exporters

June 4-7 in the Mississippi Trade Mart.

Inbound Trade Mission Agenda

Mississippi State Fairgrounds to Host Killebrew International Pro Rodeo June 6-8

The Mississippi State Fairgrounds is hosting the Killebrew International Pro Rodeo and related events June 6-8, 2024, inside the Mississippi Coliseum. In addition to the ‘full rodeo experience,’ guests will have the chance to experience a Bull-Stravaganza and Bull Poker.

“We are proud to have hosted the inaugural Killebrew Rodeo last year at the Mississippi Fairgrounds and excited the International Professional Rodeo Association awarded it the #1 Best New Rodeo of the Year as well as the #1 Best Indoor Rodeo of the Year. We’re excited to host it again this year and I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy some rodeo fun and support Mississippi agriculture,” said Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson.

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