Hundreds of thousands of readers scrolled the websites of American Agriculturist, Michigan Farmer and Ohio Farmer in 2024.

Popular stories included the struggle of Michigan’s tart cherry industry; the impact of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on farmers; and, of course, crops and weather.

Master Farmer stories were also popular on all three websites, along with stories featured in the Barn Spotlight series.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most-read online stories of 2024:

Michigan producers uproot tart cherry trees. This two-part series focused on the struggles of Michigan’s famous tart cherry industry.

1,265 antique tractors parade across Mackinac Bridge. The 16th annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing brought together families, friends and tractor enthusiasts from all over the U.S.

First-time farmers plant seeds with hope. This story began a series highlighting the first full year of farming for a young family from mid-Michigan. 

Bob Schultz forges own path during decades in agriculture. This Michigan Master Farmer started by renting 36 acres and turned it into 2,880 acres of his own ground.

Loss of animals hits hard. Part of a series on farms recovering from flooding in Vermont.

Wheat acres bite the dust. While corn is king by number of acres planted in the region, soybean acres got a big boost in 2024, but wheat acres nosedived.

Baltimore port is an ag equipment hub. This story covered the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and its impact on agriculture.

What’s preventing a new era of herbicides? This Talkin’ Weeds column covered the many factors that make new herbicide modes of action hard to come to market.

Farmer turns page on ‘worst year ever.’ This story followed harvest with Maryland farmer Chip Bowling.

Will land values and rents drop as farm profits plunge? A downturn in the ag economy offers a chance to renegotiate rents, but nonagricultural investments could create competition for land.

Here’s what landowners report from drought-stricken Ohio. This Jen’s Jots column looked at the on-the-ground impacts of Ohio’s worst drought in years.

Cow feed dilemma: More feed, or reduce the need? Facing a drought-induced shortage of quality feed, an Ohio cattlemen's dilemma is whether to find the feed necessary to maintain the herd, or reduce herd size and the potential for another substantial payday next year. 

Research looks at cover crop yield penalties. A USDA-funded project is designed to help better understand the benefits and trade-offs associated with integrating cover crops into corn-soybean rotations.