Agriculture Magazines and Journals Pricing and Costs

Pricing out ag magazines and journals
By Kristina Seleshanko If you're in the farming business, you'll need to consider agriculture magazines and journals pricing and costs. Farming methods are constantly changing, enabling you to earn more and produce a better product. Agronomy is ever-changing, too, with new research guiding the way to new trends and better profits. And in today's technological world, business practices are also forever on the move. To keep up with it all, you need agriculture magazines and journals.

But the cost of keeping yourself educated with agricultural trade journals can be high. Which agricultural magazines and journals you choose depends a great deal on your education, your specific niche in the agriculture world and your personal interests. However, there are three broad areas of farming magazines we'll look at:

1. Farm magazines focusing on the business side of things
2. Agriculture journals focusing on science
3. Farming journals published by agricultural organizations

Research farm journals with business information

For great general information, including innovative ideas on running the business side of your farm and views and reviews of new products and technology that can save you time and money, you'll want to look into general farm magazines. Many provide free information online, but to read the entire magazine, you must subscribe. Subscriptions vary in price from about $11 to $30.
Try:  Agriculture Online is a magazine covering the business side of agriculture, plus new products and technology. Top Producer is considered a leading business magazine for those in agriculture. Farm Industry News offers product news and technology for Midwest farmers. Each of these magazines is under $30 a year.

Choose print and online agriculture journals focusing on science

To keep up more specifically with breakthroughs in agricultural science, you'll want to read journals. Choose peer-reviewed science journals in the specific areas that interest you; there are journals covering everything from genetics to veterinary science. Science journals generally cost a bit more--around $50 to $100 or more per journal--but you may also be able to read them for free online.
Try:  The USDA publishes Agricultural Research and makes it available for free if you read it online; you may also order a print edition. Poultry Science is the premiere publication of its kind and is available free online.

Consider a journal of agriculture published by an association

There are many agriculture associations and organizations in the United States and abroad, and almost all of them publish one or more journals packed with quality information difficult to find elsewhere. Sometimes non-members may order copies of these journals--but at a significantly higher price. Consider joining associations to obtain free (or cheaper) journals while enjoying other membership benefits. Costs among association journals vary widely, but a good example is Agronomy Journal, which is $50 for members but $650 for non-members.
Try:  Agronomy Journal is published by the American Society of Agronomy and covers agriculture and natural resource sciences. The Council for Agriculture Science and Technology provides a number of publications, usually free to members but up to $85 for non-members.