We have had two years of extreme drought conditions which has everyone’s hay lots bare or very low. Following an excellent rain the 2nd week of September, some fields did recover enough to get a last final cutting. Although it may not be high in yields, whatever we get is much appreciated. Now the next step is getting the hay cured with the cool temperatures and avoiding baling hay with a high moisture content. Moisture content for round baled hay should not be more than 18%, for square bales 20% is the recommended number. Unlike most falls, we have not really had a problem finding a window of 4 or 6 days required to get hay cured and down to the proper moisture content. However, it still pays to be patient and let the hay get cured down to avoid spoilage or possible fires.

AgriLife Extension’s Fall Gardening Guide offers tips on bulbs, seeds and holiday plants Some lucky gardens in Texas were blessed with a recent rain around the time the calendar marked the first day of fall.

The Stephenville Cattle Company will host its annual Round-Up for Rehab auction and gun raffle on Saturday, Oct. 21 at noon.

(Editor’s note: additional reporting for this story was done by Dublin Citizen staff members) A bill that would create a school voucher program to let parents use state funds to pay for private schools — a longtime conservative goal and a big concern for public education advocates — was approved in the Texas Senate Thursday, Oct. 12.

Each year, the Terrell Foundation awards grants to Stephenville area charitable organizations and civic efforts. The Terrell Foundation will make its 2023 grant awards in December.

Tradition takes center stage as Tarleton State University welcomes returning alumni for Homecoming 2023. Activities are scheduled each night this week, culminating Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Texans’ football matchup with Morehead State.