Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Fayette County Fair
The “Just Us” band played Thursday at the fair, paying tribute to band member Emil Sodolak, who recently died of Covid. Near the bandstand stood a large poster with a picture of Sodolak and his bandmates and the words “We dedicate this night of The Fayette County Fair to his memory.” Photo by Jeff Wick
The Fayette County Record
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Joe Nichols headlined the Saturday night entertainment at the fair, singing all of his hits, from “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” to “Sunny and 75.” Photo by Andy Behlen
Hernandez Crowned Little Miss; Walker Wins Little Mister
Little Miss results: Most photogenic-Nora Barnett (Left), Best Personality-Bella Hernandez, 2nd Runner up-Carlie Jo Finke, 1st Runner upNora Barnett, Little Miss Fayette County-Bella Hernandez (Third from left); Little Mister results: Most photogenic-Gage Stott (second from left), Best Personality-Landon Wagner (right), 2nd Runner up-Landon Wagner, 1st Runner up-Gage Stott, Little Mister Fayette County-Kolby Walker (fourth from left).
Country music legend Doug Stone performed at the fair Saturday night. Photo by Andy Behlen
Hay Show Highlights Interesting Year for Local Farmers By ANDY BEHLEN
The Fayette County Record
The Schulenburg Young Farmers hosted the annual Fayette County Hay Show at the Fayette County Fair. Judging took place Thursday afternoon followed by the sale at 8 p.m. Larry Nickel, retired Fayette County Ag Extension Agent,
judged the show. “Surprisingly, there were only 15 entries this year,” said hay show organizer Mark Vecera. “There were some good samples with good protein content. Others were average due to all the rain we received and the timing of the cuttings. Overall, we saw some good hay. Nothing was wrong
with any of it.” Vecera said heavy rains this year prevented many farmers from cutting their hay at the most opportune time when nutritional value is highest. He said many farmers who hire out hay baling services experienced long waits, resulting in grass growing beyond ideal conditions.
Grand Champion in the hay show went to Kutac Farms with an entry of oats hay. The bale sold for $1,100 at auction. Farmers Co-op of Schulenburg donated 1,000 lbs. of fertilizer to the winner. Buyers were M-G of Weimar, Tex Propane, Wick Water Well Service, Kleiber Tractor and Equipment and Fayette Savings Bank. Pictured (from left) are Leo Wick Sr. of Wick Water Well Service, Rodney Kalich of Fayette Savings Bank, Aaron Kutac, Allen Kutac, Ainsley Kutac and A.J. Kutac, David Kleiber of Kleiber Tractor and James Schramek of M-G. Photos by Andy Behlen
First place in Class 2 (other Bermuda grasses) went to Darrl Ohnheiser, who entered a bale of coastal cross hay. It sold for $750 at auction. Buyers were Stryk Jersey Farm and Fayetteville Bank. Pictured are Derrl and Dina Ohnheiser and Mark Vecera, who represented the Young Farmers.
“Some people are on their third cut right now,” Vecera said last Friday. “Others just got their first cut in the middle of August because the custom operators have been so busy. Those who own their own equipment probably have the highest quality hay, because they were able to cut at the right time.”
Overall, Vecera said ample rains this year provided a bumper crop of hay across the County. “I’m seeing a lot of hay on the ground and a lot of hay moving down the road,” Vecera said. “I’m seeing people cutting their regular pastures for hay because the cattle can’t keep up with the grass.” That’s a good problem to
have. During the drought of 2011, many Fayette County ranchers were forced to sell cattle due to the lack of grass. “I’m building my stock of hay up and putting some in reserve,” Vecera said. “No one knows what kind of winter we’re going to have. It’s better to get it while you can than pray for it when you can’t get it.”
Reserve Champion in the hay show alo went to Kutac Farms with an entry of coastal Bermuda grass hay. The bale sold for $900 at auction. La Grange Farm and Ranch donated 1,000 lbs. of fertilizer to the winner. Buyers were Mueller Custom Lawn Service, Bubela Tree Farm and Arbor Care and Weimar Vet Clinic. Pictured (from left) are Ed and Jennifer Moeller, Aaron Kutac, Allen Kutac, Ainsley Kutac, A.J. Kutac and Mark Vecera, who presented a certificate for the fertilizer.
First place in Class 4 (mixed grasses) went to Benedict Kallus, who entered a bale of mixed grass. It sold for $650 at auction. Buyers were Brenda and Harold Fietsam and Benedict and Dianna Kallus. Pictured are Brenda Fietsam, Benedict Kallus and Harold Fietsam.
First place in Class 5 (sorghums) went to Ronnie Wick (not picture), who entered a bale of hay grazer. It sold for $700 at auction. Buyers Wick Water Well Service. Pictured are (from left) Leo Wick Sr., Mark Vecera (representing the Young Farmers) and Daniel Wick.