Midwest fairs wrap up with butter cows

By Andi Anderson

As State Fair season draws to a close, one of the highlights that fairgoers across the Midwest look forward to is the iconic butter cow sculptures.

Each state fair has its own version of the butter cow, with creative designs that reflect the year's theme. This year, Illinois’ butter cow embraced the theme "It's Showtime," featuring a child magically pulling a tall ice cream cone out of a hat, much to the delight of visitors.

In Missouri, the theme "Lost in a Dairy Tale" inspired a whimsical butter cow sculpture wearing oversized reading glasses, accompanied by a boy engrossed in a book. This charming scene captured the imagination of fairgoers, making it a favorite at the Missouri State Fair.

For basketball fans, the Iowa State Fair offered a special treat. Among their multiple butter sculptures, one stood out by featuring Iowa's basketball star Caitlin Clark, adding a sporty twist to the traditional butter cow display.

Shifting from the fairgrounds to the fields, the latest USDA report, released on August 12th, brings some good news for Midwest agriculture. The report highlights that Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri are leading the nation in corn and soybean conditions.

According to the report, 77 percent of both Iowa and Illinois' corn crops are rated in good or excellent condition. Missouri tops the chart with 81 percent of its corn crop receiving high marks.

When it comes to soybeans, the Midwest continues to shine. Iowa and Missouri both boast 77 percent of their soybean crops in good or excellent condition, while Illinois follows closely with 72 percent.

As the state fairs come to an end and farmers prepare for the harvest, the Midwest continues to prove that it truly has the cream of the crop, both in creativity and in agriculture.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar