District helping ‘bale’ out western farmers

Donations big and small mark this week’s “Hay West” crusade.
“I’ve just had two other people phone me with fields if someone would cut and bale them,” said Kim-Jo Bliss, manager of the Emo research station.
The fields—one in Devlin and the other in North Branch—need volunteers. People also are preparing a field donated by the Rainy River First Nations.
If you’re able to donate time to help bale hay on these three fields, call Bliss at the research station (482-2354).
And Ken McDonald of the Stratton Community Store is donating the twine needed for baling.
Also this week, the federal government announced its donation of an additional 187 rail cars to move hay west—at a cost of $2.2 million.
“The Government of Canada is extremely proud of the efforts of ‘Hay West’ organizers and the generous farmers in central and eastern Canada who are assisting farmers in the west,” federal Agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief said.
The additional rail cars will match the number already donated by Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways.
The worst drought in 133 years significantly has reduced hay and crop yields throughout most of Alberta, forcing farmers to sell off herds they’ve spent their lifetimes building.