John Ball, Forest Health Specialist SD Dept. of Agriculture, Ext.

One of the leading reasons shelterbelts fail is inadequate weed and grass control. Weed and grass control are very critical from the time the trees are planted until they are three to five years old. Weeds and grass that are not controlled compete with the trees for moisture, nutrients, and light. Even during years when there is a lot of moisture, shelterbelts do best when the weeds and grass are controlled. It is best to control the weeds and grass for as many years as you can. Weed and grass control is required on all trees that are cost shared through the Farm Service Agency or the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Commentary by Bill Bullard, CEO, R-CALF USA Year-to-year exports of U.S. beef and cattle were down last year; the volume of exports was down 13 percent, and the value of exports was down nearly 15 percent. And yet, the year-toyear 5-Area fed cattle steer price was nearly 22 percent higher.

Gregory County 4-H held our annual Youth In Action Day, Public Presentations contest on Monday, April 15th at 4PM at the Burke Civic Center. This year, 6 youth participated in this event. Participants, presentation topics, and results include: Jhett Schulte, Beginner - How Eggs are Made, Purple; Owen Schulte, Beginner - How to Ear Notch Pigs, Blue; Mya Koenig, Beginner - Incubating Eggs, Purple; Milly Meyer, Beginner - All About Horses, Purple; Ryder Meyer, Junior - All About Dirt Bikes, Purple; Jack Schulte, Junior - Castration of Swine, Blue.

With the stroke of a single pen, President Joe Biden has given mediocre men the right to steal opportunities from exceptional women. The landmark federal civil rights law known as Title IX is an over 50-year-old law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding.

Funeral services to be held for Lyle Christensen, 94 Funeral services for Lyle Christensen, age 94, of Gregory, SD, will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Congregational Church in Gregory, SD. Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. There will be a visitation Thursday night at the church from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, is in charge of arrangements.