Hoping for warm, dry week

I checked the weather forecast Monday morning–in hopes of a warm, dry week–and it looks like we will have decent temperatures until the weekend.
So enjoy this week and spend as much time as possible out in the sun. Nice days in the fall seem hard to beat.
I’m hoping we will might be able to tackle some soybeans, which is why I was hoping for some dry days with plenty of sunshine. The leaves have dropped but the seed needs some drying time.
Last week also was a decent one for working outside. We tackled some more plot work at the Emo Agricultural Research Station (leaving only the soybeans), sprayed a bit more Round-Up, started soil sampling, and almost completed cleaning one barley trial.
With deadlines for data at this time of the year, there isn’t much quiet time.
—
One of the classes at the Emo Fair that tends to draw some excitement for the Open Beef Show is the Jackpot heifer class, which is open to everyone as long as you pay your entry fee (currently $10 per heifer) and you have a yearling heifer to exhibit.
We are trying to build up the jackpot so that we have more entries. It makes it more worthwhile to put in all the time of getting an animal ready for the fall fair if there is a chance for decent prize!
We had some new sponsors this year–Emma Govier of CIBC Emo, Shannon Joblin, and Kathy Sundwall. Thank you to those ladies!
We always are looking for sponsors but don’t want to pull anyone away from our 4-H steer auction, either.
This class was a favourite of Ken Fisher’s, as well. This year, his family started a memorial award to honour Ken and the winner of this class.
Malena Flatt showed the first-place Jackpot heifer and besides the cash prize, she also went home with a new show halter engraved by the Fisher family!
We are excited to build this class and continue the interest in our Open Beef Show at the Emo Fair.
—
Everyone likely is enjoying the fall harvest in some way. I was very proud of Aaron at the Emo Inn for offering a fall harvest supper featuring all local food!
Aaron purchased two 4-H steers and thought it was a great way to share local meat, and they added all the local trimmings. Good job!
Even though I wasn’t able to attend, I heard it was amazing.
—
Thanks once again to all those who took time out of their own busy schedules to attend the work bees at the Stratton sales barn these past two Saturdays.
A big job was accomplished because of those who see the value in volunteering with local organizations.
We continue to improve the sales barn and make it an easy marketing option for many.
Our next sale is set for Saturday, Oct. 1.
—
This Saturday (Sept. 24) is the Riverside Foundation for Health Care’s annual fundraising gala, this year entitled “Mobsters and Dames” and held at the Fort Frances Curling Club.
It promises to be a great night of food, fun, and fundraising for local health care!
I understand a few tickets are still available so give Samantha Manty a call at 274-4803.
—
The Rainy River Regional Abattoir annual meeting is booked for Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Barwick Hall.
Please come–there is nothing more discouraging for a board that is trying to keep the doors open than to have poor attendance and negative rumblings.
We want to hear from you!
—
There still are a few openings for the workshop on year-round grazing systems presented by Steve Kenyon (many of you likely read his articles in the Cattlemen’s Magazine).
It is booked for Nov. 7-9, with the cost being $100.
The RRCA and NOFIA have arranged for this event and we are very lucky to have Steve in Rainy River District–we had to book him a year in advance.
If you want more info, let me know or you can book with NOFIA at 1-705-647-4782 or via e-mail at nofia@gmail.com