The 58th Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo is underway at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. For the next few weeks, we will host equine shows, livestock exhibitions, two agricultural expos, first-rate musical performances and of course, the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River.

Last year, we had a record-breaking Dixie National in both ticket sales and money raised for our junior exhibitors. We hope to have an even bigger and better event this year. The annual Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Shows will run through Wednesday, February 8, before concluding with the Sale of Junior Champions on Thursday, February 9. Over 1,500 Mississippi 4-H and FFA youth are expected to exhibit approximately 1,500 head of livestock during this time. The Reserve and Grand Champions of each show will then participate in the coveted Sale of Junior Champions. Last year, 46 animals were sold during the 2022 Sale of Junior Champions, grossing a total of $448,500 and setting a new record over the 53-year history of the sale.

So come out to the 2023 Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo and support our state's talent by cheering on our Mississippi cowboys, cowgirls and livestock exhibitors! In addition, be sure to visit the Genuine MS® Store, located inside the Trade Mart during the Rodeo Days and Ag & Outdoor Expos.

I look forward to seeing you at Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo!

Andy Gipson

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

DIVISION SPOTLIGHT

Federal & State Inspection Program

Director: Kevin Riggin

MDAC's Federal and State Inspection Program Division provides quality inspections for produce growers as well as unbiased food safety audits.

Currently, this division is broken into two subdivisions known as (1) Food Safety and (2) Produce Safety.

The Food Safety Division conducts fruit and vegetable inspections as well as third party food safety audits known as Good Agricultural Practices/Good Handling Practices (GAP/GHP) audits. All inspections and food safety audits are provided statewide to farms, packers, and wholesalers. Last fiscal year, MDAC's Food Safety Division conducted 76 GAP/GHP audits and graded 25,695 tons of peanuts.

The Produce Safety Division provides food safety assurance for consumers of fresh fruit and vegetables which are grown in Mississippi, as well as outreach and On Farm Readiness Reviews to farmers. Last fiscal year, this division identified 17 new farms, conducted 33 inspections and performed 50 educational farm visits to growers statewide.

MDAC's Produce Safety Division also frequently participates in workshops and educational training courses for Mississippi growers. Next month, Calhoun County's Extension Office will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training & GAPs Course in partnership with Mississippi State University Extension, the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce's Produce Safety Division. For more information on this event, visit link.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Multi-State Investigation of Stolen Truck Leads to Recovery of Multiple Trucks in Claiborne County

A multi-state investigation into a stolen farm truck from Missouri led to the recovery of multiple stolen trucks by the Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) and the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office.

In August 2022, a 2019 Ford F350 farm truck was stolen from Missouri in a fraudulent fake check scam. The truck was then brought to Mississippi. Law enforcement in Missouri requested assistance from the Mississippi Agricultural & Livestock Theft Bureau. The truck’s location was shown in several areas of Hinds, Copiah and Claiborne Counties.

On or about January 25, 2023, the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office received information about the truck’s location, and the stolen truck was recovered in a wooded area in Claiborne County. Several locations along with wooded areas were searched during the investigation. Search warrants have been executed at multiple locations, and additional vehicles have been recovered.

The suspects in this ongoing case have not been arrested, as this is an open investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. This appears to be a theft ring operating across several states.

The Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, enforces state laws pertaining to the theft of cattle, horses, swine, poultry, fish, farm equipment, chemicals, timber and all other farm or agriculture-related crimes. To report or provide information regarding an agricultural crime, call (800) 678-2660.

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Commissioner Andy Gipson and MDAC Marketing Staff Members Present the History of MDAC

Recently, Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson and MDAC Marketing staff members Claude Nash, Hannah East and Jared Vardaman, presented the History of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) at the Two Mississippi Museums for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's monthly book club meeting, 'History is Lunch.'

Following a presentation highlighting elements within the book and describing their writing process, Commissioner Gipson, Nash, East and Vardaman all participated in a Q&A panel discussion.

To place an order for The History of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce book, visit www.mdac.ms.gov/history.

Watch Presentation

Learn more at www.mdac.ms.gov/history.

MDAC Announces February 2023 Wild Hog Control Program Application Period

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is now accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP). The application period will remain open until Wednesday, February 15. All Mississippi counties are eligible for the application period.

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.

“The next trapping period will coincide with the upcoming crop planting season. I urge farmers that have experienced historical agricultural loss from wild hogs to submit an application,” said Commissioner Gipson. “We want to work with farmers and their neighbors to prevent crop loss by supplying the correct trapping equipment and technical guidance on how to successfully trap wild hogs.”

Applications must be completed and submitted online at mdac.ms.gov. 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.

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MDAC Now Accepting Applications for

Specialty Crop Block Grant

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is now accepting proposals for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill). The purpose of the program is to enhance the competitiveness of Mississippi’s specialty crop industry by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and addressing local, regional and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Specialty crops are an important part of Mississippi’s agriculture, accounting for more than $223 million of our state’s agriculture industry last year. Projects cannot be awarded to an individual or farm to begin their own specialty crop (fruit, vegetable, etc.) farm or operation or expand on existing operation or farm. This is not an eligible use of program funds.

Applications must be submitted to MDAC by March 20, 2023. No late applications will be accepted.

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Mississippi Local Food Purchase Assistance Program Continues through MDAC

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce was awarded a cooperative agreement from USDA for the Mississippi Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA).

The program has two purposes:

To increase the distribution of locally-produced food to underserved communities by utilizing the distribution network of Mississippi’s Feeding America Affiliated Food Banks; and
To increase economic opportunities of local, regional, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers by purchasing locally produced food products and creating connections between the producers and food distributors.

The link below is for a producer of locally and regionally produced food; meaning the food is raised, produced, aggregated, stored, processed, and distributed in Mississippi or within 400 miles of the point of distribution in Mississippi. Examples include fresh fruits and vegetables, and processed foods and beverages including milk, beef, poultry, pork and rice.

Farmers and food producers interested in potentially marketing products through this program should provide product packaging, availability, and quantity information along with delivery capabilities.

Farmers and food producers , including socially disadvantaged farmers and processors, interested in participating in the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program should visit www.mdac.ms.gov/msfp/ to register their farm or business in the directory. MDAC is partnering with the Mississippi Food Network, Feeding the Gulf Coast and Mid-South Food Bank, three Feeding America affiliated food banks, to procure and distribute local food to underserved communities through their networks of existing and new agency partners.

This program is expected to operate through 2024, or as long as funds are available.

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Remember to Submit Your Ag Census Today!

The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land - whether rural or urban - growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year.

The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. For America’s farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity.

The deadline for the 2022 Ag Census is Monday, February 6, 2023.

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Annual Dixie National Parade Gears Up for Special 'Trailing through the Decades' Procession

The annual Dixie National Parade will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Jackson. This beloved event that traditionally kicks-off rodeo competitions will include an array of rodeo queens, marching groups, decorative floats, car and tractor clubs, riding groups, dignitaries, the famous Dixie National Wagon Train and much more!

Beginning at the corner of Mississippi and Jefferson streets, the procession will travel down Mississippi Street, circle the State Capitol, and finally take a left onto Amite Street before returning to the State Fairgrounds. Spectators are encouraged to watch from the Capitol grounds near President, High and West streets for the best views. Parking will be available at the Capitol grounds and surrounding parking lots.

Local celebrity and distinguished judges will determine the first and second place winners within each category of parade participants. This year’s judges include Forged in Fire Champion Derek Melton of Hinds County; WLBT News Anchor Barbie Bassett of Quitman County; Mississippi 4-H President Ashlyn Henderson of Wayne County; Mississippi FFA President Brendan Harrison of Newton County; and Swamp People Star Ashley ‘Dead Eye’ Jones of Madison County. Following the parade, Miss Mississippi Emmie Perkins will present awards to the winning parade groups at the Mississippi Farmers Market at 12:30 p.m.

For additional information on the Dixie National Parade from Commissioner Andy Gipson, see the linked video.

The USDA Forest Service Releases Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for 2022 Tax Season

The USDA Forest Service recently released a publication titled Tax Tips for Forest Landowners: 2022 Tax Year that may be helpful to landowners. As a private forest landowner, you may start to think about timber taxes only after having a timber sale. However, each forest activity you conduct can have tax implications. Generally, all income received is taxable unless excluded by tax law, and nothing is deductible unless a provision allows it. Understanding the forest-related provisions and integrating tax planning into your forest management can help lower your overall taxes and increase disposable income.

The publication is intended to be an informational and educational resource for you and your tax advisor, but is not intended as financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with your tax advisor concerning your particular tax situation. The information is current as of November 28, 2022.

Tax Tips

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 58th Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo

dixienational.org

Annual Spring Farm Days Event to Be Held at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, invites the public to attend the annual Spring Farm Days event Thursday, March 2, through Saturday, March 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is $8 per person for ages 3 and up.

This three-day event is a wonderful opportunity to come out and see the Ag Museum come to life! Visitors can expect a variety of educational exhibits that display farming, gardening and forestry, as well as cooking demonstrations by the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board. The Children’s Barnyard will also be open, which includes a variety of animals like pigs, goats, horses and other farm animals.

msagmuseum.org

Ag Museum's Interactive 'Uncle Story' Continues

to Make Monthly Appearance

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum's Education Team has recently started a new initiative to teach children about the rich history of Mississippi agriculture with the engaging Uncle Story. Story Time with Uncle Story is an interactive event that will include an agriculture-related story, told by the loveable puppet Uncle Story, followed by a hands-on crafting time.

Uncle Story was recently featured at MPB's Summer Learning Family Fun Day and will make monthly appearances at the Mississippi Ag Museum on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Check it out this coming Tuesday, February 7th!

To learn more about Story Time with Uncle Story and the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, visit www.msagmuseum.org or call (601) 432-4500.