As I left work last Friday, I quickly called the kids over to take a look at what I was seeing on the computer!
Of course, it was a weather site and it predicted nice weather for the next week (well, it did say a slight chance of 1-3 mm of rain on Saturday, but 1-3 mm is pretty much like what we receive for dew these mornings).
I happily told my dad, “It’s going to be a great week. Let’s keep cutting!”
Well, Saturday rolled around and I had decided to do my lawn first thing as it was missed the week before. But what should have been four or five hours of lawn mowing turned into 10—since the 1-3 mm of rain turned into 17.5 mm, or three-quarters of an inch!
I think it rained on me five times. While it rained, I whipper-snippered and once it stopped, I just kept cutting—despite the conditions (I was determined to strike it off the list).
So then Sunday was supposed to be square baling day but, of course, conditions were too wet. So my vet cousin and I spent most of the day working/clipping our fair animals.
They are far from ready to go but at least they’re sporting nice new haircuts.
Every year I wonder why we bother because taking cattle to the Emo Fair is a big job. They spend most of their life just being cows and then we expect them to act like a dog or a horse for two or three weeks of the year.
I sure hope that I can work with them every night this week—after haying. We are in our last field but, of course, it is a big one. And when you only get to work at things part-time, it takes longer and, again, the weather plays a huge role!
I had a great crew of help on Monday and we made more than 300 square bales. I fed every last one this spring, so it was a must that we at least get some made before the fair.
My Uncle Bob, cousins, Darren and Stacey, and my mom made that job pretty simple—and it certainly was appreciated by me!
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We had a great soil and crop tour last Thursday. In fact, I think it was one of our best ones ever.
Horst Bohner, the soybean specialist, was a real asset to our soybean growers and they all felt they learned a few things. But all our special guests contributed and I’m proud of all our producers that allowed us to visit their farms.
We have a lot going on in agriculture here in Rainy River District and it’s nice to share it with others.
As well, thank you to all who attended the annual open house at Emo Agricultural Research Station that evening. We appreciate the support we always receive and are happy to share what we have going on.
I’m thinking I will try organizing a pasture tour later this fall, so watch for details.
• • •
I encourage everyone to pick up an Emo Fair book and check out all the ways you can participate. It is open to everyone—to enter baking, arts, crafts, or even some flowers.
It is a great way to enjoy the fair that much more and it’s a great way to get your kids involved!
My Great Aunt Ruby got me started many years ago. And every year as I struggle trying to get stuff ready, my girlfriend always teases me: “Why do you do this? Just for Ruby?”
Partly yes—and partly because participating in your community is just a great thing to do!
