The beef cattle industry is busy talking about what to do next as markets take away value from feeder cattle currently being held to higher weights or until markets turn around.

It’s been quite a while since we last communicated with everyone, and of course last week the paper would have been full of the presidential election, leaving no room for lightweight reading such as this.

Rural homeowners reading my column will want to know about our household water testing program coming up in November.

The last two weeks have seen two stories from the Depression years cross my path.

After a “life-changing” experience 10 years ago, a man who worked as a manager and internal auditor for Circuit City and Lowe’s changed the direction of his life and became a professional photographer, finding beauty in overlooked places.

Hollywood demands sacrificial love through the ages — love that lasts a moment — and it hurts, especially when it’s a double feature.

The Lakota Bull Test is an all forage bull test held at Lakota Ranch in Culpeper County, managed by Jeremy Engh.

Grain harvest is under way now in our area with combines running in the earliest planted corn and soybeans fields.

In the spirit of bailouts, we should all go take out as many credit cards as we can and max them out on assets which will depreciate in value.

The other weekend, we went to enjoy a ride around the Manassas National Battlefield Park thanks to the efforts of those volunteers at the Battlefield Equestrian Society, and of course our personal friend Gardiner Mulford.

Corn farmers have now put their corn silage into storage for feeding mostly dairy cattle and are now turning their attention towards the harvest of corn for grain by the end of the month.

Is it time to run for the cashier line at you local bank branch and pull out your deposits in fear of a total financial system meltdown?

After an extended summer drought, fall rains provide a very quick distinction between living and dead cool-season turf.

Christian musician Tim Janis will perform in the sanctuary at Culpeper Baptist Church Thursday, beginning at 7 p.m. The admission price is a pair of new children’s shoes.

As I write this column at the end of August, farmers are wondering about how the remaining days of the growing season will turn out, hoping they can grow some grass for their livestock.

The most recent USDA crop report was released with predictable reactions in the marketplace on Aug. 11.

It’s surprising “Pineapple Express” came to small-town Culpeper considering its title refers to a reportedly vigorous strain of marijuana.

In July, downtown Culpeper experienced a whirlwind of activity with special events, new business openings and a statewide conference.

Competition between the two schools — from the football field to the tennis courts to the classroom to the cafeteria to the band room — will bring out the best in those at both schools.

The other week we went off for some local entertainment of a different kind, to that we have experienced of late: Away from the suave sophistication of the polo field and back to the down-to-earth, gritty and downright dirty (as in a mouthful of dust) sport of bull riding!

The early going in our war for independence has not been good.

In just 13 days the yellow buses will roll and Culpeper County schools will be back in session.

The early going in our war for independence has not been good.

Located about one hour west of Austin, in the heart of what is known as “Hill Country,” you will find a town called Fredericksburg. Yes, the same spelling and name of our neighboring town, but in the state of Texas. The town is a blend of German heritage and Texas hospitality.

Four years ago today marks the date of the biggest party ever thrown in my honor.

Back in Culpeper, the remnants of a beach trip are evident on my skin — reddened, freckled shoulders and a jellyfish sting on my wrist — and hang in my memory like a sandy towel draped over the porch to dry.

Our cause has received aid from sundry sources but perhaps none more meaningful than the aid provided by the Spanish governor in the Americas, Bernado de Galvez y Gallardo.

Thriftiness runs through my genes, mostly on my dad’s side.

About three months ago I responded to an e-mail from Culpeper’s Chamber of Commerce looking to organize a young professionals group.

Spa treatments have become immensely popular, as is evidenced by the number of day spas that have sprung up all over the world in the last few years.