The winds and clouds were swirling Wednesday afternoon west of Okotoks where MacLeod MP John Barlow was on hand to make an announcement.

While there, he talked about the drought facing farmers in Alberta and in his riding.

"For the Macleod area I would look at the Countyof Vulcan, down in the southeast, you know, it's really the east side and then the northern part of Alberta that's been the worst hit," Barlow says. "The southwest, we've been getting some of that rain but for some reason it just doesn't seem to be making it to the east."

Barlow reiterated comments by federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz that crop insurance is the first line of defence with weather related issues.

But, Barlow says the government will look at tax deferrals for producers who have to sell off their animals because of a lack of hay.

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