This year local farmers came together to seed a half section of land, 25-8-4W2. Donations of seed, farmer's time, equipment, and fertilizer were used to establish a crop of canola. Seeded in the spring, the farmer's then swathed earlier this fall, and on Sept. 14 a combine demo was put in place.
The land had been rented from Jeremy Johnson to be used for this fundraiser, which the Prairie Place Board planned. The idea was headed by Mike Weber a member of the Prairie Place Board.
Farm implement companies were asked to bring out demo combines and companies from across southeast Saskatchewan provided them. Three combines from dealers across the southeast were brought out for farmers to test. Young's Equipment in Windthorst brought a new model of the Case IH combine, while Nelson Motors of Redvers hauled a John Deere combine out. Weyburn's, E. Bourassa & Sons, brought a New Holland combine out for the afternoon.
In five-and-a-half hours the three combines finished the half section of land. In all a total of over 50 farmers attended throughout the day. Farmers came from across the area for the day to test drive these three combines. Many wanting to know about the new combines as they either have an older version of the same brand or are contemplating a change.
The funds raised from the half section all go towards the Prairie Place Complex including the canola harvested from the section. As test drivers drove the combine's volunteers hauled the grain to the Redvers elevator.
The Prairie Place Board also provided refreshments and held a barbeque for the interested farmers during this time.
