Weekly Rural Wisconsin
Community Digest

Welcome to the third edition of the Weekly Rural Wisconsin Community Digest. I am Erica Lawton, your Farm Gal Realtor, covering Adams, Clark, Crawford, Dunn, Eau Claire, Juneau, Polk, Price, St. Croix, Waushara, and Wood counties across central, west central, south central, southern, and southeastern Wisconsin. Every week I round up what is happening across this part of the state, from cattle auctions and horse shows to timber workshops and county fair season.

We are now in the back half of August. The corn is denting, soybeans are setting pods, and the county fair circuit is hitting its stride across central and western Wisconsin. Hunters are hanging stands and checking cameras. Timber owners are scheduling fall cruises. There is a real shift in the air right now, and it is one of the best times of year to be a rural property owner in Wisconsin.

Cattle Industry News and Auctions

This Week's Sales

Premier Livestock & Auctions, LLC in Withee (Clark County) runs cattle auctions Monday through Thursday every week. This week's special sales include a Special Beef Cow, Bull & Feeder Auction on Tuesday, August 18 at 10 AM, plus the regular Dairy Auction on Wednesday, August 19 at 11 AM. Premier serves the Clark, Wood, Price, and Taylor county region well, and their special feeder sales have been drawing strong crowds this summer. If you are in the Clark County area and have beef cattle to move before fall weaning, this Tuesday sale is the one to watch.

Fennimore Livestock Exchange holds its regular slaughter and replacement sale on Wednesday, August 19 at noon. Fennimore serves the Driftless counties well, including Crawford, Grant, and the southern parts of our coverage area. Their August special feeder cattle sale ran earlier this month, but the weekly Wednesday sale is steady.

The Richland Cattle Center (Stade Auction) in Richland Center runs its weekly dairy auction on Wednesday, August 19 at 11:30 AM CDT. If you are in Crawford or the surrounding counties and have dairy cattle to sell before fall, this is a consistent regional market.

Feeder Cattle Prices Holding

Feeder cattle prices have held steady through mid-August across Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Calf weaning is still a few weeks out for most spring-calving herds in our coverage counties. If you are a cow-calf operator in Dunn, Polk, St. Croix, or Clark counties, now is the time to start thinking about fall vaccination protocols and preconditioning programs for your calves. Buyers pay a premium for preweaned, vaccinated calves at the fall special feeder sales, and the extra work now pays off at the scale in October and November.

Livestock Shows at County Fairs

Fair season is full swing this week across our coverage area. The Grant County Fair in Lancaster runs through August 23, with livestock shows running August 19 through 22 and the Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday, August 22. Grant County is one of the strongest ag counties in southern Wisconsin, and the quality of the 4-H and FFA livestock at this fair is always impressive.

The Juneau County Fair in Mauston runs August 19 through 23. This is the 160th annual edition of the Juneau County Fair, with livestock shows and exhibits across the full run. If you are in Juneau or Adams counties, this is the fair to get to this week.

The Waushara County Fair in Wautoma runs August 20 through 23. This is central Wisconsin lake country fair with ag exhibits, livestock judging, and the kind of small-town community atmosphere that makes county fairs special. Waushara County sits in the heart of the lake region, and this fair draws a good mix of ag families and seasonal residents.

The Price County Fair in Phillips runs August 20 through 22. This is a classic Northwoods county fair with livestock exhibits, 4-H shows, and family entertainment. If you own timber or recreational land in Price County, this is a good chance to connect with neighbors and talk about what the local land market looks like heading into fall.

Looking ahead, the Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield (Wood County) opens August 25 and runs through August 30. This is one of the larger fairs in the state with heavy ag programming, a midway, and grandstand entertainment. And the Crawford County Fair in Gays Mills runs August 27 through 30, the 167th annual edition in the heart of the Driftless Area. I will have more on both next week.

Equine Events, Horse Shows, and Rodeos

There is good equine activity in western Wisconsin this week. Here is what is coming up.

Speed Shows and Pleasure Events

The WWHSA Speed Show runs Tuesday, August 18 at the Trempealeau County Fairgrounds in Galesville. This is a speed event show featuring barrel racing, pole bending, and other timed events. Trempealeau County sits just south of our primary coverage area, but it pulls competitors from Dunn, Eau Claire, and Buffalo counties. If you run a barrel horse, this is a good midweek show to hit.

The St. Croix Riders Saddle Club in Baldwin (St. Croix County) has back-to-back shows on Saturday, August 22. Their Fun Show starts at 9 AM featuring ranch and speed events, followed by the Open Ranch Horse Buckle Series Pleasure Show. Both run at the St. Croix Riders Saddle Club Grounds at 2110 County Road N in Baldwin. St. Croix Riders is one of the most active saddle clubs in western Wisconsin, and their summer buckle series draws a good crowd from St. Croix, Polk, and Dunn counties.

If you are looking for a trail ride experience, Wild West Campground in Amherst continues offering daily guided trail rides through August at 10 AM, noon, 2 PM, and 4 PM. $45 per person for a 45-minute ride. A good option if you want to ride but do not have your own horse on the property.

Upcoming Rodeos

The St. Croix Valley PRCA Rodeo is August 21 and 22 in Glenwood City at the St. Croix County Fairgrounds. Bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, barrel racing, and tie-down roping. This is one of the premier rodeo events in western Wisconsin. If you are in Polk, St. Croix, or Dunn counties, this Friday and Saturday rodeo is the weekend highlight.

Hunting Seasons, Regulations, and Wildlife Updates

Two Weeks Until Teal and Dove Season

We are exactly two weeks out from the September 1 opening of early teal, early goose, and mourning dove seasons. Here is the full rundown of what opens soon.

Early teal season opens September 1 and runs through September 9. Blue-winged teal are the primary target, and the flowages in Juneau, Adams, and Wood counties can provide excellent early-season action on warm September evenings. Scouting is the key. If you have not checked your teal spots yet, this week is the time.

Early goose season opens September 1 through September 15. The resident Canada goose population is strong across all our coverage counties. Field hunting in Dunn, St. Croix, and Polk counties is some of the best early goose hunting in the state. Now is the time to get permission on harvested wheat and oat fields. Corn harvest has not started yet, but the early wheat stubble fields are already drawing birds.

Mourning dove season opens September 1 and runs through November 9. Dove hunting continues to grow in popularity across Wisconsin. The ag areas in Waushara, Adams, and Juneau counties provide excellent field hunting for doves on sunflower, wheat, and oat stubble.

Bear baiting is in its peak prep window. Bear season opens September 9 for hunters hunting over bait, and September 16 for hunters using dogs in Zones A, B, and D. If you drew a bear tag for Price, Clark, or Wood counties, your bait sites should be established and running. I have been hearing from landowners in Price and Clark counties that bear activity has been good this summer, with regular trail camera photos coming out of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest border areas.

Archery and crossbow deer season opens Saturday, September 12. Fall turkey season opens the same day. For bowhunters, this is the most important date on the calendar. Late August is when you should be hanging stands, trimming shooting lanes, and pulling trail camera cards. If you are evaluating a hunting property for purchase, now is the best time to walk it. The cover is at its fullest, and you can see exactly where deer are bedding and feeding. Reading access, trails, and terrain on a hunting property is one of the most important skills for a serious buyer.

CWD Surveillance

The DNR fall CWD surveillance program is ramping up. CWD-affected counties in our coverage area include Wood, Crawford, and Adams counties. If you are hunting in these areas, plan to have your deer tested. Sampling is free to hunters, and the data is critical for long-term herd management. Carcass movement restrictions apply in CWD-affected counties, so know the rules before you tag a deer outside your home county.

Timber and Forestry Activities

Oak Wilt Biology and Management Workshop

The Wisconsin Forestry Center and Natural Resources Foundation are hosting an Oak Wilt Biology and Management Workshop on Tuesday, August 18 from 1 PM to 3:30 PM at Schmeeckle Reserve in Stevens Point. DNR Forest Health Specialist Alex Hornung will cover oak wilt biology, identification, and management options for private landowners. If you own oak timber in Wood, Clark, Adams, or any of our coverage counties, oak wilt is a serious concern. Wisconsin has one of the highest concentrations of oak wilt in the upper Midwest, and late summer is the time to identify infected trees before the fall season. This workshop is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is recommended through the Wisconsin Forestry Center website.

Pyrosilviculture Workshop Coming Up

Looking ahead, the Pyrosilviculture: Integrating Fire and Silviculture for Resilient Oak Ecosystems workshop is August 25 from 8:30 AM to 4 PM at Black River State Forest in Black River Falls. This in-person workshop covers how prescribed fire and silvicultural practices work together to maintain healthy oak ecosystems. If you manage oak timberland in the Driftless or central Wisconsin, this is worth the drive. Black River State Forest is in Jackson County, just south of our coverage area but within easy reach for anyone in Wood, Clark, Juneau, or Adams counties.

Summer Timber Assessments

Mid-to-late August is the time for summer timber stand assessments across our coverage counties. County foresters in Wood, Clark, Price, and Adams counties are actively doing stand evaluations. If you own timbered acreage and are thinking about a fall or winter harvest, now is the time to get a forester out to mark your stand and run a cruise. Hardwood and aspen prices have held steady through mid-2026, and fall typically brings active buying from regional mills in Clark, Wood, and Price counties.

The Managed Forest Law (MFL) program remains open for new enrollment. If you own 10 or more acres of woodland in counties like Price, Clark, Wood, Waushara, or Adams, MFL can reduce your property tax burden significantly while keeping your timber managed sustainably. Your county forester can tell you the latest entry deadlines and eligibility requirements. I wrote a full guide on what your timber is worth if you are trying to understand the value of your wooded acreage.

Wisconsin Conservation Corps

The Wisconsin Conservation Corps Summer Session runs through August 19. Conservation crews have been building trails, managing habitats, and completing carpentry projects on public land across the state this summer. If you have used a DNR trail or recreation area this year, there is a good chance a WisCorps crew helped maintain it.

ATV and Trail Riding

WATVA Northwest Region Workshop

The Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association (WATVA) Northwest Region Workshop is Saturday, August 22 at the Barron County ATV Playground, 14 1/2 Avenue in Almena. Hosted by the Dusty Trail Finder Club, this workshop covers regional ATV issues, trail maintenance, and club development. Barron County is adjacent to our coverage area (just east of Polk County), and this workshop is a good opportunity for riders in Polk, Dunn, St. Croix, and Barron counties to connect with the broader ATV community. A meal is provided with free-will donations accepted, and there is typically an optional guided ride after the meeting.

Trail Conditions

Summer ATV season is in full swing. Trail conditions are generally good across our coverage counties. The Wild Rivers State Trail (Polk County) and the Red Cedar State Trail (Dunn County) are both open and well maintained. In Clark and Wood counties, the county forest roads and ATV routes are in good summer shape. August rains have helped keep dust down on the groomed trails. As always, check county trail status pages before you head out, especially after heavy rain events.

Upcoming Rides

The Trempealeau County ATV Club has a two-day ride scheduled for August 29 and 30, with a rain date of September 12 and 13. If you ride in western Wisconsin, this is a good one to mark on your calendar. Trempealeau County's coulee terrain makes for some of the most scenic ATV riding in the Driftless Area.

B Bad Adventures of Mercer has a UTV ride scheduled for August 29 in the Mercer area (Iron County, north of Price County). If you are up in the Northwoods, this is a well-organized group ride.

Snowmobile Club Activity

Most snowmobile clubs wrap up summer meetings by late August. The Trailmates Snowmobile Club (Wausau area) had its August meeting on August 12, with their annual Chicken Dinner on August 22. If you belong to a club in Clark, Price, Dunn, or St. Croix counties, check your club's calendar for end-of-summer maintenance days. Trail clearing and bridge work done now means a smoother season when the snow flies.

Farming, Crop Reports, and Ag Events

Crop Conditions

The USDA NASS Wisconsin Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending August 2 showed Wisconsin farmers averaged 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Nationally, corn was rated 61% good to excellent, and soybeans were 63% good to excellent. The Wisconsin-specific report from late July showed Wisconsin soybeans at 74% good to excellent, which is above the national average.

Across our coverage counties, corn is in the dough to dent stage. Earlier-planted fields in Crawford, Grant, and the southern part of the state are further along, while fields in Clark, Price, and Wood counties are at the dough stage. Soil moisture has been adequate through August, with periodic rains keeping crops on track. The warm July and early August weather has pushed crop development slightly ahead of the five-year average in many areas.

Soybeans are setting pods across Adams, Waushara, Wood, and Juneau counties. Dry conditions in northwestern Wisconsin have been a concern in some areas, but our coverage counties in central and western Wisconsin have generally received enough moisture. Wheat harvest is wrapping up, and the straw baling that follows is a good opportunity to connect with local farmers about access to wheat stubble fields for early goose hunting.

Haylage and hay continue to move in the dairy regions of Dunn, St. Croix, and Polk counties. Third cutting is underway in many areas, and quality has been good through the summer.

Farmers Markets

Late August is peak produce season. Sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, melons, and apples are all coming in strong across our coverage area. Here are the markets running this week:

• Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market — Saturdays, 7:30 AM to noon, Phoenix Park.
• Menomonie Farmers Market — Saturdays, 8 AM to noon, Wilson Park.
• Baldwin Farmers Market — St. Croix County. Wednesdays, 3 PM to 6 PM.
• Wisconsin Rapids Farmers Market — Wood County. Saturdays, 7 AM to noon.
• Adams Friendship Market — Adams County. Saturdays, 8 AM to noon.
• Phillips Farmers Market — Price County. Thursdays, 2 PM to 5:30 PM.
• St. Croix Falls Farmers Market — Saturdays, downtown St. Croix Falls.
• Mauston Farmers Market — Juneau County. Saturdays through the growing season.
• Wautoma Farmers Market — Waushara County. Saturdays through the season.
• Neillsville Farmers Market — Clark County. Saturday mornings through fall.

Other Notable Rural Community Events

Eau Claire and Dunn Counties

Brickfest 2026 continues this week on Tuesday, August 18 from 5 PM to 8 PM at The Brickhouse in Eau Claire. This is a weekly summer series that has been running strong.

Husky Fest 2026 is Saturday, August 22 at 5 PM at Wild Ridge Golf & Event Center in Eau Claire. A community gathering with food, music, and family activities.

In Menomonie, the Menomonie Farmers Market runs Saturday morning at Wilson Park, and the Summer Swing Vendor Show runs Sunday, August 23 from 10 AM at Wilson Park.

St. Croix and Polk Counties

Trivia Night at Dancing Dragonfly Winery in St. Croix Falls is Monday, August 17. The winery has been running summer events all season, and the St. Croix River Valley is at its late-summer peak for outdoor recreation, boating, and live music.

The St. Croix Valley PRCA Rodeo at the St. Croix County Fairgrounds in Glenwood City is Friday and Saturday, August 21 and 22. If you live in Polk or St. Croix counties, this is the weekend event to plan around.

Wood County and Central Wisconsin

The Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield opens Tuesday, August 25, running through August 30. One of the largest fairs in the state with heavy ag programming, a rodeo, livestock shows, grandstand entertainment, and a full midway. Senior Citizens Day is Tuesday, August 25. If you are in Wood, Clark, Waushara, or Adams counties, this fair is worth the trip.

Lunch by the River continues at Veteran's Memorial Park in Wisconsin Rapids with live music and food vendors. The summer riverfront series runs through late August.

Juneau and Adams Counties

The Juneau County Fair runs Wednesday, August 19 through Sunday, August 23 in Mauston. Castle Rock Lake and the Wisconsin River flowage are at peak summer levels for boating and recreation. Late August is a great time to visit recreational parcels near the lakes and see the property during the busiest time of year. The Adams County Fair in Friendship runs September 10 through 13, so mark that one for a few weeks out.

Clark County

Premier Livestock in Withee has its special sales this week (Tuesday and Wednesday, August 18 and 19). Clark County's affordable hunting land and timber tracts continue to draw strong buyer interest heading into the fall market. If you own property in Clark County and are thinking about selling, now is the time to get it prepped for fall buyers.

Crawford County

The Driftless Area is beautiful in late August. The Crawford County Fair runs August 27 through 30 in Gays Mills. Summer trout fishing on the spring-fed streams of Crawford County is excellent through October 15. The bluff country around the Kickapoo and Wisconsin rivers offers some of the most scenic rural property in the state.

Waushara County

The Waushara County Fair runs Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23 in Wautoma. Waushara County's lake country draws seasonal residents from across the Midwest, and the demand for recreational and seasonal properties around its many lakes continues to be strong.

Price County

The Price County Fair runs Thursday, August 20 through Saturday, August 22 in Phillips. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is open for dispersed camping, hiking, and mountain biking. The North Country National Scenic Trail through Price County is in great shape for summer hiking. If you are looking at timber or recreational land in the Northwoods, now is prime scouting season before the fall market picks up.

Archived: Past Events Now Complete

The following events from previous weeks have now passed. These are noted here so the site stays current and you know what is behind us.

• Dunn County Fair — July 22-26, 2026, Menomonie (completed)
• Polk County Fair — July 23-26, 2026, St. Croix Falls (completed)
• Clark County Fair — August 5-9, 2026, Thorp (completed)
• Eau Claire County Fair — August 6-8, 2026, Eau Claire (completed)
• St. Croix County Fair — August 5-9, 2026, Glenwood City (completed)
• Wisconsin Valley Fair — August 6-9, 2026, Wisconsin Rapids/Wood County (completed)
• Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction — August 12, 2026, State Fair Park (completed)
• Wisconsin State Fair — Through August 16, 2026, West Allis (completed)
• GLKDA Kiln Drying Short Course — August 11-13, 2026, Antigo (completed)
• Fennimore Livestock Exchange Sales — August 12, 2026 (completed)
• Oberholtzer Machinery Consignment Auction — August 14, 2026, Loyal/Clark County (completed)
• WATVA Northeast Region Workshop — August 8, 2026, Mountain (completed)
• Trailmates Snowmobile Club August Meeting — August 12, 2026 (completed)