Farmers, equipment sellers, agricultural scientists and others within the business of agriculture need to stay on top of the latest industry happenings, trends and innovations to be successful. One of the most convenient ways to get the news you need is to regularly read agriculture newspapers and newsletters.

Agriculture newspapers and newsletters can help you do a range of things that can help your business and planning: Track weather patterns and economic trends, check food prices, buy and sell farm equipment, read up on agricultural technology, find the latest research and more. When researching which agricultural publications to read, consider the following:

1. Ag newspapers and journals that offer good blanket industry information are a must to keep your eye on the big picture.
2. Reading ag publications that focus on specific agricultural regions in the country help you gain ideas from other areas by tracking successes and failures in each region.
3. Finding agricultural publications that focus on specific aspects of the industry, such as sustainability or technology, help you gain and maintain strength in specific areas where your ag operation might be behind the curve.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look up agricultural newspapers that cover the entire industry

Farm newspapers, journals and the like that offer a cohesive look at the agricultural industry as a whole benefit anyone in agribusiness. Try these reputable publications for the latest farm industry news.

I recommend: The High Plains Journal is a long-trusted publication offering agriculture news, livestock and equipment sales and other agribusiness features. The AG Journal is another excellent source of agribusiness news.

Find regional agricultural newspapers

Farm newspapers that zero in on specific areas of the country can help you gauge how larger issues affecting agribusiness, such as weather and food prices, impact different agricultural centers of the country. Use these ag newspapers to find out how these areas cope with challenges and manage success.

I recommend: The Capital Press is a regional newspaper that covers California, Washington, Oregon and other Western states. Farmers' Advance keeps you up to date on the latest ag news from the states of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

Subscribe to agriculture newsletters

Agriculture newsletters--particularly those you can subscribe to via email--offer excellent snippets of industry information on tight deadlines. These newsletters often sharpen their focus to one aspect of agribusiness, such as equipment or technology.

I recommend: Technology for Agriculture, a newsletter developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, discusses technological advances in farming from a variety of perspectives, from crops to fisheries. Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture's Sustag is an ag newsletter that keeps people interested in sustainable agriculture connected with the latest news and information on sustainable farming.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ag publications offer wonderful ways to connect with peers in the industry. Look to these publications as well for opportunities to advertise supplies and equipment or find new business partnerships.