Area farmers are breathing a little better now that it is a little wetter.
    Low snowfalls and a dry spring led to low soil moisture levels in the area. This week’s rain has boosted the confidence of some farmers who are now waiting to get their equipment on the land.
    Starland County Ag Fieldman Al Hampton said many in the area reported getting close to an inch of moisture.
    “At this stage of the game this is really good,” said Hampton. “Now if it is shut off for the next month, everyone will be happy.”
    It is still early in the season, however Hampton said a few people in the Delia, Verdant Valley and even the Rowley area have gotten a little bit of seeding done. He figures that less than 1 per cent has been planted. Most is peas and some early wheat.
    “Full-blown seeding won’t start until it dries up a bit,” said Hampton.
    “I think the moisture we got has gone to a good cause. I think people are more confident putting seed into the ground than they were a few weeks ago,” said Hampton.
    Bruce Sommerville, Ag Fieldman for Kneehill County, said the moisture will go a long way to getting even germination.
    “All the seed should come up even,” he said.
    He said a few of the larger operations had a few crops in the ground so far, but most will be waiting until the ground dries to get their equipment out.
    Sommerville expects more moisture and says it is needed, but it also closes farmers’ window of opportunity.
    “Ten days from now if they are not started they will be getting concerned,” he said.

    Imagine for a moment, being on a sunny California beach. You just came to the shore after splashing in the ocean or are laying down a beach towel to tan. You look over and find a piece of Alberta had followed you and was protruding from the sand.
    Last week, beach combers gazed in bewilderment when they saw a replica Albertosaurus skeleton buried in the beach.
    Travel Alberta and the Royal Tyrrell Museum travelled to  Los Angeles (L.A.) with fossils in tow to introduce Californians to the badlands of Alberta.
    “They [Travel Alberta] are really pushing dinosaurs as a reason to come to Alberta,” said Leanna Mohan, marketing coordinator of the Royal Tyrrell Museum. “They came up with the idea to get people interested in coming to Alberta.”
  Mohan was joined by Tyrrell palaeontologist Francois Therrien, who spent the time teaching beach combers about the fossils and Alberta.
  "It was interesting. Not a lot of people here were aware that Alberta is one of the best places to look for dinosaurs,” said Therrien. “A lot are now even considering coming to look at the dinosaurs, because they didn’t know there were so many close to them.”
    People asked about the fossils, where they are from, the museum, and how to get here. Many of those who took the time to check out the spectacle didn’t even know where Alberta was. Therrien, Mohan, and Travel Alberta staff illustrated where Drumheller and the rest of the dinosaur sites, such as Dinosaur Provincial Park, are located.
    The stunt also drew the attention of news outlets from L.A. and late night T.V. show Jimmy Kimmel Live, which aired last night.
    The skeleton even attracted a couple school groups in L.A. Therrien taught students all about the fossils he had with him.
    “We got good media coverage, so people in L.A. will get to learn more about dinosaurs,” said Therrien. “There was a huge spike in visits to the Travel Alberta website, so that’s encouraging.”
    “People were thrilled to meet a palaeontologist. We brought some fossils and brochures down,” said Mohan. “It’s been a big success for sure.”