Every year, spring kicks off with the Spring Expo in Yorkton, which brings together a wide variety of businesses and organizations from within the area and further afield to show off their wares and what they’re all about. This year, over 150 displays filled the Gallagher Centre, featuring everything from big boats to smaller products.

Keith Putman from Assiniboia, SK used the show to bring out his invention, The Hopper, a product designed to provide a better and more efficient way to run an auger on the farm. The invention is a metal design which can be attached to the auger itself and moved with it.

He says the design is a more efficient way to operate, as The Hopper moves with the auger, it doesn’t spill unlike older designs and essentially “cleans itself.” He says the design was in response to the problems he saw on models which were already on the market.

“I’ve been a farmer for 35 years, and I didn’t like any of the hoppers out there because they’re always cumbersome and hard to move. There was always product left over and this one doesn’t have any product,” Putman says.

When it comes to Spring Expo weekend, Putman admits that while there were large crowds he was hoping to see more big farmers at the show. However, he says he made a number of sales and overall things are going well for his new invention as word begins to spread about its advantages.

Those who would like to learn more about The Hopper can visit their site at www.thehopper.ca.