April to be a jam-packed month

Here’s hoping the Easter Bunny found everyone and he wasn’t froze out or blown away!
This weather certainly is keeping things from being too messy around the farm yard anyway, though I’m hoping things warm up for those who are going to start calving soon with little or no indoor facilities.
Our lambs are coming a little later this year and that might be a good thing with this wind blowing (even the barn is none too warm).
The sun is great, and eventually the mud and fun will come.
• • •
April looks to be a jammed-packed, event-filled month! It is the last crack to get people out before they get busy with summer plans and projects.
Next Wednesday (April 11), Cloverbelt is hosting a beef branding workshop from 3-8 p.m. at the Emo Inn. You must register (let me know if you need the information on how to do that)!
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Then next Friday (April 13), the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture is hosting a spring “Ag Day” at the Emo Legion.
Registration starts at 9 a.m., with the first speaker beginning at 9:30 am.
Topics include clean FARMS, plastic disposals assessment study results, tile drainage, agriculture and your mental health, bioengineering for Stream Bank Restoration, and rainfall insurance.
Pre-registration is appreciated for meal preparation. Give me or Lisa Teeple a call.
Then on Saturday, April 14, the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association is planning a work bee at the Stratton sales barn.
The sales barn committee has made a list of priority jobs so we can come prepared with tools, etc. The plan is to start around 9 a.m.
The job list includes gate repairs, feed bunk repairs, water bowls, the entrance into Susan’s office, etc. A gas welder will be on-site but please bring your tools and a friend!
Murray and Shelly are providing the lunch!
If it should happen that the weather isn’t co-operating, they will postpone until Saturday, April 21.
This is the 58th year of our sales barn. It is great that we have had many years of dedicated volunteers to keep this place running and so successful!
Once you are finished at the sales barn, you will have time to prepare for the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society’s “Gold Rush Gala,” which is being held at the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre on Saturday, April 14.
They are fundraising to replace their worn-out buildings at the fairgrounds. They have a fun night in store and would love if people came in costume! They also are looking for pie or decorated cake donations.
If you are able to help, or would like a ticket, give Joe a call or text at 276-8637 or Jo at 275-9791!
This is going to be a great night–you don’t want to miss out!
• • •
I am waiting on my last three calves and they have little time left, so the end is near for this season. It now is time to start planning vaccination dates and bull turn-out dates. And so we start the cycle all over again!
The calves are doing well and so far certainly haven’t had to contend with much mud.
• • •
Seed is arriving quickly at the Emo Agricultural Research Station and I hope to have students in place by the end of the week.
April is a very busy month getting seed packaged and trials organized. It is a very exciting time of the year.
Now if I could only control the weather. . . .