There are few things in life that can be predicted, but a number of area agriculturalists don’t feel like they are going too far out on a limb to say this could be a pretty good harvest.
    Despite a cool and wet spring, the heat is on in the late summer and crops are looking strong, indicating it may be a  very good year.
    “I would say if the weather holds here, it looks like a bumper crop,” said Starland Ag Fieldman Al Hampton. “For most people it is going to be  a pretty good crop. The rain came at the right time and heat came at the right time, and I don’t think disease is going to be as big a factor as last year. You are going to hear some pretty good stories, and I have already heard a few.”

Farmers in the area are busy with harvest. Despite the cool and wet spring, the heat in August and September is looking good for crop yields throughout Starland and Wheatland Counties.

    Hampton told The Mail on Monday he figured  crops were about 10 per cent in, but if the weather forecast is correct, by the end of the week they could be approaching 40 per cent.
    Russel Muenchrath, Ag Fieldman for Wheatland County is also positive. While there were a couple showers in the area over the weekend, everything is going well.
    “If it stays like this, crops will be coming off in good shape  and people will be happy,” he said.
    Muenchrath said the late summer heat was a welcome to ripen and dry crops. The early summer moisture wasn’t the best for hay however, and most was put up wet.
    “There has been some hail damage in some places, but now that seems to be the norm rather than the exception,” said Muenchrath.
    He estimates farmers are anywhere from 30-40 per cent complete.
    Bowen Clausen, Ag Fieldman for Kneehill County says harvest is ticking along.
    “Everything has been great,” said Bowen who estimates about 30 per cent of the crop is up.
    “Most of the canola is knocked down, they are starting on wheat and most of the peas are almost done,” said Clausen. “It is looking pretty decent at this stage.”
    Clausen doesn’t describe it as looking like a bumper crop, but doesn’t write it off either.
    “I would say average to above average, but I wouldn’t say bumper crop, just because of the cool wet start, I think  it slowed things and maybe stressed some of the plants a bit. So I would say average or a bit  above.”

Province surveys residents on Morrin Corner and Highway 9 and 21 intersections.

The scene of an accident July of this year at Morrin Corner. In the foreground is a memorial to three children and an adult who died at the intersection in 2007. Alberta Transportation is proposing to make the intersection a four-way stop.

    Alberta Transportation is looking for feedback on changes it can make to area intersections to make them safer and efficient.
    The department has devised two surveys asking for feedback on the intersections of Highway 9, 27, and 56, commonly known as Morrin Corner, and the intersection of Highway 9 and 21.
    Both intersections  have been in the news recently.
    July 5 of this year,  six people received medical treatment and two STARS Air Ambulances were dispatched to a collision at Morrin Corner.
    Just 10 days later, a young highway maintenance contractor from Three Hills was killed at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 21.
    Russ Watts, infrastructure manager for Alberta Transportation, says they want to learn the opinions of  residents and stakeholders on whether the intersections should be changed to four way stops.
    “We want to get an unbiased look from people,” said Watts. “We want to get a sense for what people actually think.”
    Starland CAO Ross Rawlusyk says the county’s website has a link to the survey regarding  Morrin Corner.
    “The  county received a letter from Alberta Transportation advising they were going to make some immediate  modifications to Morrin Corner,” said Rawlusyk, noting they would be moving the stop signs to the centre of the lanes, improving the markings and deepening the rumble strips.
    ‘They (Alberta Transportation) asked Council their  opinion and our guys discussed it and they actually passed a motion to support changing to a four-way stop,” said Rawlusyk. “We have taken the position that it could be a good thing and maybe save a life.”
    Alberta Transportation is hoping to hear from residents as well on what they think could be done to make this intersection safer.
    Watts say Wheatland, Kneehill and Starland Counties are  being active in getting the survey out to interested parties.
    Along with the survey, there are information pages to learn more about what steps are being taken.
    “We are looking at if we want to take them (these changes) further,” sad Watts.