Seed donation to benefit landowners

State landowners and hunters have seed for wildlife food plantings this spring thanks to a special donation to Mississippi State from a California-based agricultural company.

The Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service recently distributed through its county agents more than 2,100 bags of treated corn seed to conservationists, landowners and hunters interested in planting wildlife food plots.

A gift from the Mycogen Co. of San Diego, the 50-pound bags have a total value of more than $58,000.

The extension service annually seeks seed donations for distribution as an educational tool for landowners and conservationists, as well as to assist with management of wildlife resources, according to extension wildlife specialist Dean Stewart.

With headquarters here and offices in all 82 counties, MCES is responsible for disseminating research-based information and assistance to improve agriculture, related phases of the economy and family living.

Stewart, who helps coordinate the annual program, said the seed distribution "has a positive impact on improvement of wildlife habitat across the state. The extension service has received more than a million pounds of seed valued at more than $850,000 since the program began in 1991."

Mycogen is a diversified agricultural company that develops and markets seeds for genetically enhanced crops and environmentally compatible biopesticides to control pests and increase food and fiber production.

Jerry Caulder, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, recently lectured on campus on the future of biotechnology and agriculture.