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The Country Today
World Dairy Expo registration now open
Entries for the World Dairy Expo’s dairy cattle show are now being accepted. Registrations, which are online only at worlddairyexpo.com, have a Sept. 2 deadline. Late entries carry an additional fee, can be submitted though Sept. 15. Billed as the “meeting place of the global dairy industry, the expo is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29 through Friday, Oct. 4 in Madison. The full schedule is available on the expo’s website....
Farm learning events scheduled for summer
Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development, Inc., has announced a series of July and August events to help Wisconsin farmers explore new ways to manage their operations. The events range from techniques to optimize dairy grazing to soil health, and cover much of the state. Registration for the events is online at https://www.glacierlandrcd.org/upcoming-events. • July 11 Nutrient Management Training for Graziers, 12-4:15 p.m., Jefferson County UW Extension, 864 Collins Rd., Jefferson ...
'Work like a man'
Anytime I assemble a new tool or toy, I channel my dad. No matter how daunting the step-by-step instructions, I consider “What Would Joe See Do?” Lay everything on a large, neat workspace. Sequence parts to match the directions. If you make a bad turn, exclaim, “Oh schmuck.” Joe See phrases still rattle around in my head, though he’s been dead five years now. When I recently put together a new recumbent exercise bike, I heard his voice: “Don’t tighten those bolts till you’re sure.” ...
UWRF's Humane Handling Institute supported by $1M gift from the Rosen Family Foundation
RIVER FALLS — Kurt Vogel, UW-River Falls professor of animal welfare, said understanding how to humanely handle animals is a skill that is critical to the meat industry. And with a gift of $1 million from the Rosen Family Foundation, he said their Humane Handling Institute, or HHI, would be supported as they continue to grow the program. “The Rosen Family is involved with a variety of agriculture-related business, so...
Xcel Energy begins project to enhance safety, longevity of Menomonie hydroelectric dam
MENOMONIE — The Menomonie hydroelectric dam was built on the Red Cedar River in 1958. While it is still in good shape, said Xcel Energy Project Manager Anthony Witkowski, a large maintenance project has begun with the goal of enhancing both the dam’s safety and longevity. “The project entails reinforcing and rebuilding the river banks on the south side and the north side of the dam,” he said. “Originally the river banks’ soil was stabilized using a series of grout bags to protect from erosion....
RCU Foundation gifts Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation $150K for the Market on River
CHIPPEWA FALLS — The Royal Credit Union Foundation gifted $150,000 towards the Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation, as the money will go towards continuing development of the Market on River. “The impact of the Royal Credit Union Foundation donation is invaluable to the future success of Market on River” said Jackie Boos, facilities director for Market on River, in a press release. “This generous donation allows for us to have our best foot forward with state-of-the-art AV and sound. We are humbled and excited for this...
Price County Rodeo to be held July 5-6
PHILLIPS — It’s time to cheer on the best cowboys and cowgirls at the annual Price County Rodeo on July 5-6 at the Price County Fairgrounds. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned events are part of the Great Lakes Circuit Small Rodeo tour. “Come out and see what the best small rodeo of the Midwest has to offer,” said Alexis Schienebeck, director of Price County Rodeo. The rodeo starts at...
The Fourth of July that saved the nation
As an end-of-the-road farm boy growing up deep in southern Illinois, the Fourth of July was more of a shadetree holiday from the alfalfa field than a noisy celebration of national independence. Besides, we were more partial to a local hero, Abraham Lincoln, than any frilly “Founding Father.” That leaning was confirmed a half century later when, on July 4, 2021, I came across an essay by historian Ted Widmer that examined Lincoln’s 1861 Fourth of July, his first as president. In the essay, Widmer...
U.S. ag export outlook updated
The USDA’s Economic Research Service has updated its US 2024 trade balance sheets. US ag exports in 2024 are estimated at $170.5 billion, unchanged from the group’s last projection. Livestock, poultry, and dairy exports are expected to generate $38.5 billion in revenue, an increase of $800 million from the last estimate. Beef exports are forecast to rise $200 million from higher cattle prices and strong demand. US ethanol exports are forecast at $4 billion, up $400 million from the previous estimate. Grain and feed exports...
Did you see my key?
My life has been bombarded with questions from the beginning of the day until I fall asleep at night. This is no truer than with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. She can taunt me with a question out of nowhere. I get in deep trouble when I realize what is behind the question. A good example is the other day when she came into the living room and, with...
The man who had the right stuff
When I reached the age of 60, my thoughts were about retirement. You are familiar with the thoughts: investigating Medicare, planning vacations, spending more time with the family or maybe playing more golf, and going on hunting trips. I then stopped to think about John H. Glenn, Jr., the astronaut who became the first American to orbit the Earth and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. He circled the planet three times in four hours and 55 minutes on Feb. 20, 1962. ...
70th Spooner Rodeo: Royalty starts reign at BBQ
SPOONER — They began gathering early in the evening on Wednesday, June 19, as the intoxicating smell of the great barbecue pork being prepared by La Cabana Nick’s Family Restaurant’s caterers started to fill the air. In the background, Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” could be heard, followed by Glen Campbell with “Rhinestone Cowboy” and Johnny Cash belting out “Ring of Fire.” Country/western classics set the mood nicely. It was a perfect night for cowboy hats and boots. ...
A friend fills in with wedding details
I am Lovina’s “English” friend Ruth, and I had the opportunity to help Lovina shop for food, take pictures of the wedding preparation, and then attend Daniel and Lovina’s wedding on Friday, June 21. Lovina asked me to share with you what happens in the days leading up to the wedding, and she will share more about the wedding in her next column. Lovina and Daniel asked Lovina’s sister Emma and her daughter Elizabeth to be the head cooks for the wedding. That is a...
Tending the wild
“Snapping turtle on the lane,” comes the text on my phone. Mom and Steve had just headed out for a delivery of veggies and eggs from our farm. Deliveries can come any day, the big trucks speeding down the old gravel lane to the farm much faster than I like to drive, and it is terribly unlikely they would swerve or stop. Kara heads down with a stick and a shovel, hoping to convince the egg-laying prehistoric-looking momma reptile off the road and into the...
Musky Fest enjoyed by throngs of visitors
The 74th annual Hayward Musky Festival held June 21-23 “was another wonderful community event,” according to Brianna McKenzie, assistant director for the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce. The weather was cool and cloudy on Friday and Saturday and sunny and warm for Sunday’s parade, drawing throngs of people downtown all three days. “The weekend festivities were successful and it was so great to see people out and about and enjoying...
A century-old love story
As if torn from the pages of “Romeo & Juliet,” the trouble began with their families. A pair of young lovers (a 28-year-old woman we’ll call “Margaret” and a 25-year-old farmhand we’ll call “August”), who, between December 1917 and November 1918, exchanged dozens of love letters amid their against-all-odds romance. The reason for their hardship? Margaret’s mother, who despised August and seemed committed to derailing the star-crossed lovers’ lives. The letters imply that Margaret’s mother had a hand in what happened next: Margaret’s marriage to...
Pork Fest: Diners line up for chops grilled at annual fairgrounds fundraiser
JANESVILLE — Hot weather and a brief sprinkle of rain didn’t stop people from lining up — and driving up — Wednesday to the Rock County Fairgrounds for grilled pork chops at the Rock County Pork Producers’ annual Pork Fest. The smell of smoky meat, humid air and summer temperatures contributed to the atmosphere as people came from all over the area for dinner. Streets around the fairgrounds on Craig Avenue in Janesville were filled with cars, as some diners stayed to eat at picnic...
Dunn County Highway officials anticipate reopening a section of Highway B soon
MENOMONIE — With construction on the Dunn County highway project moving forward, county highway officials hope to reopen a portion of County Highway B soon. Dustin Binder, county highway commissioner, said the goal for time is to have it reopened in the next two to three weeks. “Our goal was to open this roadway prior to this road work being completed,” he said. “Unfortunately due to some safety issues, we...
‘Lemonade Kids’ turn goodwill into funding for cancer research
EAU CLAIRE — Three Eau Claire children are taking the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” literally and using that mindset to raise money for cancer research benefitting Chippewa Valley residents and others across Wisconsin fighting against cancer. The Erickson siblings, James, 11, Aubrey, 9, and Isla, 6, the children of Eau Claire residents Mike and Andrea Erickson, will be collecting donations for lemonade at the fourth annual Garding Against Cancer Golf Outing on Friday afternoon at Hickory Hills Golf Course, E4080 Hickory...
Mexico’s election delivers new leader to tackle old problems
While Americans still face a long season of political campaigning, more than 80 other nations have completed their federal elections this year or are about to go to the polls. For example, France’s general elections will be held June 30, the United Kingdom’s on July 4, and Venezuela, July 28. Previously, the European Union completed parliamentary elections June 9, India’s two-month long election ended June 4, and South Africa’s election concluded May 29. ...
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Eau Claire Press Company’s rural newspaper, The Country Today, was established in January 1977 and was designed to serve the agribusiness community of west-central Wisconsin. It began as a free-distribution newspaper, and in the summer of 1979 was converted to a paid-circulation publication. Today it is one of Wisconsin’s largest paid-circulation weekly newspapers with distribution throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan. In October 1983, The Country Today expanded to offer statewide coverage. In recent years, the newspaper has developed an online and social media presence that is updated regularly. The content of the paper reflects the diverse interests of a rural population. In addition to coverage of agricultural issues, The Country Today offers regular columns and features on options for small-acreage farms, outdoor news, horse news and other specialty coverage and recipes. The majority of the content is staff-produced. The Country Today maintains a staff of regional editors and advertising representatives across the state in addition to the Eau Claire office staff. Covering topics of importance to the rural reader in a timely fashion, The Country Today is a newspaper that cares about rural life.
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