THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015
VOL. 93 | NO. 25 | $4.25
SAVING BEE HABITATS | P27
SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923
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ALL SHINED UP AND READY FOR FARM PROGRESS
Contracts don’t protect from drought Start talking with grain buyers sooner rather than later if it appears drought will cut yields to the point that production contracts can’t be filled. | Page 6
1,000 bushels, 10 minutes Morris Industries has an idea that will deliver 1,000 bushels of up to four products into an air seeder cart in less than 10 minutes, saving up to two hours per day with less field compaction. | Page 69
It’s a clean routine ahead of the largest farm equipment show in Western Canada. Matt Waffle, left, and David Stallard of RMW washed and readied machinery for Canada’s Farm Progress Show held in Regina June 17-19. The show has more than 700 exhibitors. | MICHAEL RAINE PHOTO
WEATHER
Rain: the fickle mistress Some areas got much-needed rainfall while others remain frustratingly dry CAMROSE, BRANDON BUREAUS
Some prairie farmers must be feeling like they’ve won the lottery with scattered showers and good solid rain. For others, however, problems continue. Last weekend’s weather brought grey skies and strong winds but only a few drops of rain in many places. “It was sporadic,” said Environment
Canada meteorologist Dan Kulak. Rain across the Prairies ranged from nothing to 25 millimetres. More rain was predicted for this week, after the newspaper’s production deadlines. If those forecasts prove true, it would further buoy farmers’ optimism about their crops this season. However, many regions remain in need of more moisture. Elk Island, just east of Edmonton, received 16 mm from June 12-15, Fairview received 21 mm and Seven Persons, in southern Alberta, received
nine mm. North Battleford received one mm and Spiritwood, just to the north, received 27 mm. “It was not exciting amounts. Probably just enough to dampen the dust,” said Kulak. Central Alberta received the biggest boost from the weekend rain with widespread thunder showers. “Locally we’re not too bad,” said Terry Young of Lacombe, Alta. His farm received 28 mm of rain, while much of the surrounding area received 19 mm, which helped
parched crops. “The crop has actually bounced back pretty good,” said Young, who added that crops were starting to look stressed. “It’s positive right now. If you phone back in two weeks and we don’t have any more moisture, I may be in a bit more of a panic mode.” Norm Hennigar of Grande Prairie, Alta., said the 25 mm of rain over the weekend perked up pastures, hayland and everyone’s spirits. SEE FICKLE, PAGE 4
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The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240
JUNE 18, 2015 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4
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