While rain keeps falling, farmers appear to be optimistic about the potential for crops this season.

While last year’s dry conditions threatened crops in the field early in the season, a series of early July rain showers have boosted some confidence. As Al Hampton, Agricultural Fieldman for Starland County points out, the showers have been localized.

“Around Drumheller it is extremely wet.  From Drumheller to Verdant Valley, and Delia and Craigmyle, that is where there has been really heavy rain, but the rest of the county has also received some rain,” said Hampton. “The bulk of Starland is in really good shape.”

While the rain is welcome for many, for those trying to put up a little bit of feed with their first cut, that might be stalled.

The only guys who aren’t happy at this point are guys who are trying to hay,” said Hampton. “It’s wet and it is not drying very well, and there is a little bit that has been cut and the quality has been deteriorating as it hasn’t been baled up.”

While he has heard there has been about 1,900 hail claims province wide, but not in Starland.

“We have had a little bit of hail, but nothing I would put a claim in on. The hail has caused a little bit of bruising. West of me for about four or five miles there was a strip that took a pretty good beating but the crop was early enough that it will probably recover, but it is set back a little,” said Hampton. 

Russel Muenchrath, Agricultural Fieldman for Wheatland County agrees that conditions so far are favorable for a strong crop come fall, however there has been some localized hail damage. 

“In Rockyford last Monday we had some hail. The storms have been sporadic. It is hit and miss, some areas have been hit pretty badly and some haven’t gotten as much. The same as with the rain,” said Muenchrath. “With some of the cereal crops the heads were just coming out, so I imagine some of those emerging heads got knocked off, so they might not be as good.”

With damp weather however comes the risk of disease.

“Any time there is increased moisture, there is increased risk of problems with disease. There have been a few insect problems like with cabbage seedpod weevil,” he said.  “The hail continues to be a risk as we go on into the season, and with the ongoing rain, it could cause some ponding in areas which causes trouble with some crops.”

On the whole though compared to last year the grains are looking pretty good,” said Muenchrath. Hampton has a similar outlook.

“I would say potentially it is shaping up to be a good year in the area,” said Hampton.

The Cactus Coulee Fun Park has just opened the newest addition to their park. 

The fun park has entertained tourists with go-karts, euro-bungy, and mini golf. Now, they have introduced a new attraction for thrill seekers. 

Alpine Helicopter Tours has  partnered with Cactus Coulee in hopes of expanding their business. The tours offered in Drumheller, flies passengers in and around the valley to take in the unique landscape. 

Head pilot of the Drumheller Alpine branch, Justin Graveline, reflects on his experience flying around the valley so far. 

“So far it has been going really well. We see a lot of people who are very nervous at first, but we try to make their first time flying as easy as possible.” 

Alpine Helicopter Tours has been set up at the park since mid June and will remain there until the end of September. The company is hoping to have a bigger setup next year. 

Graveline, and his right hand man, Bryston Stanton run the show in Drumheller, taking passengers to new heights. Graveline flys the helicopter while Stanton is the man on the ground.

“It is really soothing to be up in the air, but my favourite part is being able to share it with others. Especially the little ones,” says Graveline. 

Graveline, originally from Sudbury, Ontario, was inspired to become a pilot from his father, who also shared the same occupation. He earned his licence through the cadet program and has been with Alpine Tours for 2 years. 

Graveline and Stanton start their day by doing daily maintenance and check ups to the Bell 206L-3. The helicopter seats six passengers and features a Rolls Royce 250-C30P engine. 

“Our main concern here at Alpine is safety and passengers. So we make sure everything is up to standard,” says Graveline.

Then, it is off to the sky as Graveline tours the lucky passengers around the valley. 

Alpine offers two tours of the valley. The first is a trip to Horsethief Canyon and back. This tour showcases the beauty of Horsethief Canyon that has been eroded into the earth by millions of years of water and wind. 

The second tour, takes passengers to Horsethief Canyon and across to Horseshoe Canyon, showing off the beauty of Drumheller and it’s surrounding areas. 

The Cactus Coulee Fun Park can be found west of Drumheller on North Dinosaur Trail.