Thankfully it is looking like we might be moving out of the deep freeze. I am hoping I can stop worrying about all the things that could potentially go wrong. Then again, it is doubtful because that seems to be something I am good at. I really don’t have anything to complain about because I know things can always be worse. I am planning to get my barnyard set up tomorrow and move the cows home once they are finished the last set of bales I had set out. They will likely be happy to have less of a walk each day for water but yet the bush is such a great natural windbreak. Even on these last cold days the trek across the open area wasn’t so nice but once in the bush it really didn’t feel all that bad.
Last week we had a few research meetings. I enjoyed the updates on average crop yields in Ontario; Oats 112 bu/acre, Barley 79 bu/acre, Spring Wheat 65 bu/acre, Mixed Grain 76 bu/acre, Soybeans 46 bu/acre, Corn 190 bu/acre, Canola 2607 lbs / acre. In comparison to our District alone, our crop producers are doing very well. There were some major cuts to Ag Canada Research Stations and staff last week and it was a surprising announcement. It is going to leave some large voids in many areas of Research.
The Rainy River Valley Ag Society (The Fairboard) is hosting their AGM this week and I am helping out with their elections. The meeting will be over by the time you read this but if you have any interest in joining the board please reach out. This is a wonderful organization to be involved with as it is one of the longest standing events we host in the Rainy River District. The group has been so busy these past few years with renovating the grounds and things are looking very impressive.
I have an abattoir date this week. So on Sunday, I was working on getting the hitch in the truck. Let me tell you that wasn’t an easy task as it still had all the ice in the back from the rain at Christmas and it took some chopping. I was sharing my struggles with one of my friends and he responded, “why didn’t you use your new truck?” Well, who would have thought of that!
I am part of a Research Panel on February 7, in Sudbury. (I will participating on zoom.) We have a planning meeting this week so I am looking forward to understanding what they are expecting from us. My boss is the facilitator for our session so it should be a lot of fun.
