Business and Agriculture

WALNUT — If the rainy weather kept you from attending the first round of old-fashioned corn picking and shelling on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, you’re going to get a second chance.

MANLIUS — The Bureau Valley FFA horse judging team consists of Holly Guither, Sam Krieger, Danae Ross, Marissa Bivins, Seth Ross and Dustin Vainowski. Our team traveled to Black Hawk East College on Sept. 19. We were required to be up and ready at 6:30 a.m. We were on the road by 7 a.m. We also had the luxury of stopping for a bite to eat at McDonalds!

U.S. agriculture, as much as any other industry, stands at the forefront of the complex issue of sustainability. Soybean farmers, for instance, grow a crop that is useful in providing nutritious human food, protein-rich animal feed and renewable fuel for a demanding and growing global population. Sometimes, uninformed individuals misunderstand our production practices, but know this: For us, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s how we make a living. In order for us to plant, grow and harvest a crop every year, we ultimately benefit from protecting our water supply and conserving our soil.

TAMPICO — A restaurant known area wide for its delicious pies and good food is now open again to the public.

Dr. Ernesto Villalobos (from left) and Diana Rawlings, administrator of the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department, greet Dr. Robert Dawe and his wife, Patricia Dawe, at a recent open house for the dental clinic, which is operated through the health department. Villalobos serves as the dentist for the dental clinic, which is located within the health department facility at Perry Plaza in Princeton. Robert Dawe serves on the board of the Putnam County Health Department.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Farm Bureau will hold its township caucus meeting for the purpose of nominating the directors from the townships listed below at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Farm Bureau building. Townships up for election are Arispie, Dover, Fairfield, LaMoille, Macon, Manlius, Mineral, Selby, Walnut, Westfield, Wheatland, Wyanet and two at-large positions.

KENTLAND, Ind. — With nearly 30 years of seed sales, sales management and agri-input experience, AgVenture PureLine Seed’s new yield specialist Brad Forkner has taken on his new role with a passion. Forkner will provide year-round seed support to his AgVenture brand customers from his Lostant office. AgVenture PureLine is based in Princeton.

There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork reported. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent short, 63 percent adequate and 36 percent surplus. Fifty-two percent of the corn crop was reported as harvested, while the five-year average corn harvest is 95 percent. Soybean harvest was reported as 90 percent complete, with the five-year average at 99 percent.

Holland & Sons Inc., a full-service John Deere dealership headquartered in Mendota, recently purchased Murphy & Gustafson Inc. dealership in Freeport.

URBANA — With late planting of corn, a cool summer and a record wet fall many crop and livestock producers are faced with questions and concerns with corn over 25 to 30 percent moisture, presence of yeast, molds and mycotoxins. University of Illinois specialists are scheduled to answer these questions and concerns in a Webinar from noon to 1 p.m. (Central Standard Time) on Wednesday. There is no cost to participate.

This has been a very challenging year for our office. Increases in workload and budget constraints have played a major part in how we prioritize our day to day office and field activities. This affects the services we provide and ultimately what gets accomplished.

The Bureau Valley FFA placed third at the Section 3 FFA Soils Judging contest held in Geneseo Oct. 7.

SPRING VALLEY — Holistic natural dog and cat foods that are grain free are available at Mr. Rudy’s Goodies, 128 E. St. Paul St., in Spring Valley.

Princeton National Bancorp Inc. of Princeton, the holding company of Citizens First National Bank, reported Oct. 30 the results of operations and financial condition for the third quarter of 2009.

WYANET — When residents of Wyanet walk by the Body Bar, the question that comes to mind might be “What are they serving?”

AMBOY — The Indian Creek FFA Alumni will host its 12th annual Club Calf Sale on Nov. 22 at the Lee County 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 30 near Amboy. The sale begins at 1 p.m.