A local farmer says while there is still a long way to go until harvest, there is potential for a big crop this year. Mark Reimer farms about 3,000 acres in the Steinbach, Blumenort and Ste. Anne areas. He says crops are looking very, very good.

"At this point, the potential is for a bumper crop. Maybe that's too optimistic but we've had close to excellent germination despite a very dry start. We had a little challenge on the canola with the flea beetles taking off part of our plant population, but I think it's good enough for a good crop. But the corn, the soybeans and the wheat look close to excellent. We're very thankful."

Reimer notes he chose not to spray for flea beetles.

"We chose not to. Sometimes we kill the beneficial insects so we're a little shy to spray. So, with an agronomist, we usually back away from it because, usually, there's more (canola) coming out of the ground and we usually have a crop anyways. Re-seeding and spraying always has its costs as well."

Reimer says the rain this week was much-needed because fields were starting to get dry. He adds they received a good half-inch across all of their fields.

"We're thankful, especially for this last rain. We were getting a little dry and this will sustain us for another week or so. I think this will keep things going for another week, I'm guessing. Every week, a tiny rain of an inch or half-an-inch and I think we're looking for a bumper crop."