Ag station open house draws 100

Kim Jo Bliss and her helpers had the Emo Agricultural Research Station looking great as she welcomed the 100 or so farmers and other interested people to the annual open house there last Tuesday (July 22).
“If I could be at home haying tonight, I would be,” said Bliss, who, like all hay makers in Rainy River District, is finding that task challenging this year.
She explained although it seemed much wetter than normal this year, we are, in fact, very near or just slightly below normal.
Rather, the big story about this year’s weather, said Bliss, is that we’ve had far fewer heat units than normal—about half of last year.
“I have two farm kids [at the station] this year for the first time in a long while and it has really been quite pleasant,” Bliss said in introducing her summer students.
Matt McQuaker, from Stratton, is a third-year engineering student at the University of Manitoba while Shannon Darby, studying music at the University of Brandon, is from Devlin.
Russ Fortier, chairman of the Rainy River Future Development Corp., thanked the research station “for letting us join your party.”
Also attending last Tuesday’s open house was Louise Paquette, director general of FedNor, who was touring the area.
FedNor funds the program that created agricultural co-ordinator Jeannette Cawston’s position on board.
The Fort Frances Highlanders played while Paquette, along with district municipal leaders, Geoff Gillon, the RRFDC’s regional economic developer, and others stayed behind for a barbecue of local meat supplied by Cornell Farms and the Rainy River Elk Company.
Rainy River Mayor Debbie Ewald, when contacted later, said it was a great opportunity to meet with Paquette informally.
“The meal was very good,” she added.
“Ms. Paquette came to Rainy River on Wednesday and we showed her what we are doing down here,” continued Mayor Ewald. “Any time you can get someone of that calibre to our area, it’s a good thing.”
Everyone else accompanied Bliss, either walking or riding the wagon, to view the trial plots at the research station, which is located on Highway 11/71 just west of Emo.
Bliss talked about each plot, the difficulties with the planting conditions and growing conditions, and pointed out the highlights.
Along the way, there was discussion about the value of clover for green manure in these times of high fertilizer prices.
It has to be done at the right time to maximize the retention of nitrogen, but it is possible to obtain up to 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre by plowing down oilseed radish.
Throughout the tour, it was obvious Bliss pays a great deal of attention to the well-being of the plants and hopes for the best growing conditions for them.
Although Paquette and her entourage had left for another meeting by the time the tour returned, delicious hamburgers and elk sausage hotdogs were waiting for everyone.
There also was plenty of discussion.
Bliss welcomes anyone interested to drop by the research station at any time.