As we hit the half way mark in 2015, it’s worth looking at what stories have caught the attention of Western Producer online readers. Let’s look at the top 10.
1. Rising waters wash away land, farmers’ futures. The top-read story detailed the difficulties farmers in the Quill Lakes area southeast of Humboldt, Sask., experienced with flooding in May.
2. 4-H member shows determination. Hanna Chilson, 12, who uses a wheelchair after a car accident, presses on by training and showing her 4-H calf, Bubbles, during the Flagstaff District 4-H Beef Show and Sale in Killam, Alta, in early June.
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3. When squatters strike. In January, landowner Bob Woodward told how 10 acres of his ranchland was turned over to his neighbour following a court ruling in Cardston, Alta.
4. Seeder’s reach stretches 160 feet. Our story on this Australian 160-foot seeder was so popular that it remains a top-read item more than a year after it was posted in June 2014.
5. Oat buyer says no glyphosate pre-harvest. In April, Grain Millers announced it would not buy oats if the crop had been desiccated with glyphosate.
6. UN body declares glyphosate probable human carcinogen. In March, The World Health Organization’s cancer agency, IARC, said the herbicide is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” In April, Health Canada said glyphosate is not a risk to human health when used according to directions.
7. Inventor takes DIY to whole new level. Wilfred Mollenbeck of St. Gregor, Sask., built a 840 sq. foot house on top of a 12-metre-tall orange pole. This November 2013 story and video occasionally makes the social media rounds and remerges on our top page counts.
8. Farmers launched bold plan. John and Robin Acton feature locally grown produce year-round at their northeastern Saskatchewan Lower Shannon Farms. When we talked to them in April, business had doubled in each of their first three years.
9. When thieves come calling. In this story, posted Jan. 1, Kirk DeSchryver described a harrowing November night when five thieves raided his property.
10. Brush with death leaves farmer worried about family. This story, believe it or not from September 1997, still remerges as a big read. Randy Newton of Irma, Alta., described how he almost died from the deadly hantavirus disease, which is spread by deer mice.
