Once a year the one thing that brings joy to all farmers is when they can dust off their combines and head to the field.

Harvest time in Central Alberta often gives the appearance of a race to see who can be the first one out in the field and who can be the first to finish.

One local farmer has been farming for 55 years and still continues to love every minute of it.

Frank J. Sigurdson, 78, took over his family farm in 1955 with his wife Ellen and continues to work the land his father once did, with a few changes of course.

“I guess I love it or I wouldn’t be doing it,” said Sigurdson.

Farmers today seem to have it easier than back in the day. Gone are the days of extensive labour.

No more pitchforks, horse drawn buggies or groups of strong men working from dawn to dusk beside intimidating and dangerous threshers.

The fields are now dotted with combines and tractors where air conditioning has replaced wiping your brow with a handkerchief.

Although farmers still work all day long, advancements in technology allow them to have a field done in hours rather than weeks.

In the following Express video, a snapshot of living and working during the glorious time of year many in Central Alberta know as harvest.