Most popular stories of 2021

Stock Journal is taking a look back at what stories you were clicking on throughout the year, with a look back at our most popular stories of 2021.

The history of the Ashrose pre-fix within SA is a long and storied one.

The stud was first started by the Ashby family in 1910, and it has returned to its roots, with the sale of the Ashrose name and ewes to Tom and Matt Ashby, North Ashrose, Gulnare.

Ashrose stud returns to Mid North family

A 7.6 tonne a hectare crop is something pretty impressive.

Even more so when that crop is canola.

Australian canola crop record smashed

Shearing can be an important time on many farms but it took on special note in the past 24 months, with concerns about shearer shortages.

There were concerns about accessing shearers, and even talk of bidding wars, there was also good news in the world of shearing, with an international record set.

But there was also plenty of interest in the innovations in the shearing world, including one on display in the South East.

SA shearing innovation aims to do away with 'catch and drag'

It would be fair to say the topic of land prices has cropped up more than one or twice in conversations across rural Australia in the past year.

Whether it was a look at what land might be on offer after centuries within the one family or some other opportunities, there was plenty to talk about.

But what really got people talking was the prices.

Big crowd watched history made at EP farm auction

Almost anyone who has spent time on the land will have some memory related to the art of water divining - whether that is watching an expert at work, or picking up a rod and having a try themselves.

But what does it take to be a water diviner?

A dying artform: water diviners few and far between

Dogs are well-known to be man's best friend, so the concern is very obvious when news came of a potentially deadly dog disease spreading across Australia.

The situation was made even worse as the country began to reopen after periods of lockdown, and tourists - keen to see more of their country - were warned they could unwittingly speed up the spread.

Deadly dog disease explodes across the north as nomads return

There's something about a good news story - especially one that could have nearly gone the other way.

And that's why so many people clicked on the amazing story about a chance discovery that saved a man's life.

Truck driver finds stranded grandfather near Birdsville after chance route change

You can also read the follow-up story here.

Pests were a major recurring theme throughout the year - particularly how to deal with them.

The state governments offer of a fox bounty, certainly attracted plenty of attention, as did the debate about which pest animal was worst out of kangaroos, rabbits and feral pigs.

But it was the feral pigs that came out on top in this list, with a massive response.

New weapon in feral pigs fight after decades in the making