Research Guides: Agriculture: Finding Information

Agriculture Research Databases

Recommended Agriculture Databases

The databases below are specific to the field of agriculture.

➡ Time-saving Tip: Start with Agricola via Ebscohost and click "Choose Databases" at the top and check the box for "Academic Search Premier" and "General Science Full Text (H. W. Wilson)" and click OK to search three science/interdisciplinary databases at once.

Agricola (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Agricola content with the added features of the Ebscohost search interface. This database contains bibliographic records and some full-text from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Library. Coverage for AGRICOLA dates back to 1970 and includes more than 4.8 million citations. The citations are comprised of journal articles, monographs, theses, patents, software, audiovisual materials, and technical reports related to agriculture.
Agriculture Collection This link opens in a new window
Provides a comprehensive view of the agricultural industry. Comprised of nearly 200 titles, researchers will have access to current and authoritative content that spans the industry - from practical aspects of farming to cutting edge scientific research in horticulture.
Science Direct This link opens in a new window
Citations, abstracts and some full-text scholarly articles covering a wide range of science and health sciences topics.

Other Agriculture Databases

Depending on your research topic, you may also find these databases helpful.

BioMed Central This link opens in a new window
Open-access journals covering a wide array of subjects, including biology, chemistry, microbiology, veterinary research, plant biology and zoology.

PubAg
USDA's National Agricultural Library's database including 214,400 full-text journal articles on the agricultural sciences.

Interdisciplinary Databases

Research in agriculture can take on an interdisciplinary approach blending business, other sciences, and/or a legal aspect to your topic. Some of the following databases may introduce a new angle to your topic.

ABI/INFORM Collection‎ This link opens in a new window
ABI/INFORM Complete provides thousands of full-text journals, dissertations, working papers, and key newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times, as well as country and industry profiles. The database covers a wide range of business topics including accounting, finance, management, marketing and real estate.
Academic Search Premier This link opens in a new window
A multi-disciplinary database that provides full text for more than 4,600 journals, including approximately 3,900 peer-reviewed titles. Useful for nearly any research topic.
General Science Full-Text This link opens in a new window
Abstracts and articles from leading professional journals and popular science magazines.
HeinOnline This link opens in a new window
HeinOnline is the world's largest fully searchable, image-based government document and legal research database. It contains comprehensive coverage from inception of U.S. statutory materials, U.S. Congressional Documents and more than 2,500 scholarly journals. Full text of state and federal case law powered by Fastcase is included.
Omnifile Full Text This link opens in a new window
Article citations, abstracts, and many full-text articles from thousands of magazines, newspapers and scholarly sources. A good choice for most subjects.

Agriculture: Government Publications

Amber Waves
Amber Waves is published monthly on the the USDA's Economic Research Service's website. The online magazine showcases the full range of ERS research and analysis on economic and policy issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and rural America.
Agriculture Decisions
Agriculture Decisions is an official publication by the Secretary of Agriculture that consists of decisions and orders issued in adjudicatory proceedings conducted for the Department under various statutes and regulations. Selected court decisions concerning the Department’s regulatory programs are also included. The Department is required to publish its rules and regulations in the Federal Register; therefore, rules and regulations are not included in Agriculture Decisions.
Census of Agriculture
The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land - whether rural or urban - growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year.
Economics, Statistics and Market Information System (USDA)
The USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System (ESMIS) contains over 2,100 publications from five agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station faculty members conduct research in nearly all areas of agricultural production. This online collection of research reports publishes preliminary results of research conducted at centers around the state in beef and dairy cattle, swine, meat science, plant pathology, sorghum and wheat breeding, cropping systems, irrigation engineering, cover crops, weed science, entomology, range management, turfgrass, and other areas. Research is supported by federal and state funds, grants, and Kansas State University.
Kansas Statistical Abstract
The Kansas Statistical Abstract 2017, contains the latest available state, county, and city-level data for Kansas on population, vital statistics and health, housing, education, business and manufacturing, exports, employment, income, finance, state and local government, crime, recreation, communications, transportation, agriculture, climate, and energy and natural resources.

Use the SuDocs call numbers below to locate the following government publications in the Government Documents department of Forsyth Library (upstairs):

Soil Surveys: A 57.38:_______ (alphabetical by county—Kansas and neighboring states only)
Census of Agriculture for Kansas: A 92.53/a6:AC-07-A16
USDA Office of Administrative Law Judges - Judicial Decisions: A 1.58/A: yr/vol (thru Vol. 65 – 2006, pt. 2)

Agriculture: Website Resources

Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
USDA's main scientific research agency dedicated to finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA seeks to protect human health and the environment providing research and regulations to improve air, land, and water quality.
Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)
USDA's agency on food safety and public health, ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and processed egg products.
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
USDA's agency that links U.S. agriculture to the world, including trade policies, commodity exports, trade data, and global food security
International Trade Administration (ITA)
Under the US Department of Commerce, ITA strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of our trade laws and agreements
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
A USDA agency that conducts hundreds of surveys every year and prepares reports covering virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture.
National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC)
USDA's agency that provides information on invasive species, covering federal, state, local and international sources.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
USDA agency that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers and forest landowners to voluntarily conserve the nation’s soil, water, air and other natural resources.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Made up of 29 agencies and offices that provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.
U.S. Drought Monitor
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. It is produced jointly by the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Division of Animal Health (KDA)
Currently there are three programs that make up the DAH, Animal Disease Control, Animal Facilities Inspection and the Brands Program, all of which work to ensure the health and welfare of Kansas livestock and domestic animals. The Division of Animal Health provides an annual report on Kansas Livestock Markets.
K-State Research and Extension
Publications, news, and educational information
Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops
Assists family farmers and ranchers to boost farm profitability, protect natural resources, and enhance rural communities.
Kansas City Board of Trade
Electronic trading, market commentary, wheat stocks, etc.
Kansas Corn
Information provided by the Kansas Corn Growers Association
Kansas Department of Agriculture
The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is the nation's first state department of agriculture. The agency is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas.
Kansas Farm Bureau
Through a variety of programs, tours, conferences and media, Kansas Farm Bureau impacts Kansas agriculture daily and improves the perception of agriculture.
Kansas Livestock Association
The Kansas Livestock Association is a trade association representing 5,600 members on legislative and regulatory issues.
Kansas Mesonet
Map of the state of Kansas with temperature, 24-hr precipitation accumulation, and wind overlays.
K-State Agronomy eUpdate
A weekly newsletter from K-State Research and Extension. View the latest issue and archived issues.
K-State Research and Extension Bookstore
The Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station published hundreds of circulars, bulletins, and other documents, with records dating back to 1888. View current publications in the KSRE Bookstore

ACSESS Digital Library
Alliance of Crop, Soil, & Environmental Science Societies digital library includes thirteen ASA, CSSA, and SSSA scientific journals, two magazines, a library of more than 330 books and monographs, and two magazines.
Ag Econ Search
Full-text copies of scholarly research in agricultural and applied economics
AgNIC
Full-text and web-based resources provided by an alliance of subject experts and partner institutions.
AGRIS Information System (FAO)
Papers, data, statistics, and multimedia material about international agricultural science and technology.
AgWeb
Farm Journal's current agriculture news and information
American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Provides agronomy publications, government policy, and career information.
Core Historical Literature of Agriculture
Collection of landmark agricultural texts published between the early nineteenth century and the middle to late twentieth century.
Current Research Information System (CRIS)
USDA database that provides documentation and reporting for agricultural, food science, human nutrition, and forestry research, education and extension activities.
National Agricultural Library (NAL)
USDA's library of articles, books, publications, data and more.
National Agricultural Library Digital Collections (NALDC)
NAL's digitized collections of serial publications, and full-text historical documents on the agricultural and food sciences
U.S. State Agricultural Sites
Agriculture departments, veterinary medicine, and extension services listed by state.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Publications
Publications for various agricultural topics

Agricultural Prices (NASS)
Collects and disseminates timely, relevant, accurate, and useful agricultural price statistics.
Census of Agriculture (NASS)
USDA's Census of Agriculture publications for 1997, 2002, and 2007, 2017
Census of Agriculture Historical Archives
Archive of USDA's Census of Agriculture publications published prior to 2007.
Data and Statistics (NASS)
USDA data and statistics by state, county, and crop.
Economic Research Service (ERS)
USDA's agency that conducts economic research and anticipates trends and emerging issues in agriculture, food, the environment, and rural America.
Economics, Statistics, and Market Information System (ESMIS)
USDA database that contains over 2,100 publications from five agricultural agencies.
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
FAOSTAT provides free access to food and agriculture data for over 245 countries and territories and covers all FAO regional groupings from 1961 to the most recent year available.
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
A USDA agency that conducts hundreds of surveys every year and prepares reports covering virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture.
Soil Surveys (by state)
Official USDA soil information as viewable maps and tables for more than 3200 soil surveys.
US Export Sales (USDA)
Monitors U.S. agricultural export sales for 40 U.S. agricultural commodities.

Agriculture Laws (by state)
Features a compiled list linking out to each state's agricultural laws.
Judicial Decisions (USDA)
The Office of Administrative Law Judges conducts rulemaking and adjudicatory hearings throughout the United States. OALJ also posts Agriculture Decisions, the official publication of decisions and orders issued in adjudicatory proceedings.
Laws and Regulations (USDA)
Find information about policies, regulations, inspection standards, and guidelines in place by the USDA.
National Agricultural Law Center
The National Agricultural Law Center, a unit of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, is the only agricultural law research and information facility that is independent, national in scope, and directly connected to the national agricultural information network.
Title 7 - Code of Federal Regulations
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) annual edition is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

Agriculture: Specialty Website Resources

ATTRA - Sustainable Agriculture Program
Provides publications, information, and technical assistance relating to sustainable agriculture. ATTRA is a program developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and partially funded by USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Crop Science Society of America (CCSA)
CSSA supports its members by providing peer-reviewed publications through the Digital Library, educational programs, scientific meetings, recognition and awards, career services, student activities, and science policy initiatives.
Forage Resources
Research-based information that will enhance forage production and utilization including alfalfa, corn silage, pastures/grazing, etc.
K-State Extension - Range & Forage
Research and publications about pasture management, forage, prescribed burns, etc. from K-State Research and Extension
K-State Extension - Wheat
Information about wheat crops from the K-State Research and Extension Office
Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers
Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers and the Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council provide research and information on diseases, insects, weeds, and other information concerning grain crops
NewCROP
From Purdue University's Center for New Crops & Plant Products, NewCROP provides information to new and specialty crop profiles.
Plant Diseases and Damage Image Gallery
Iowa State University's entomology image gallery of alfalfa, barley, corn, oats, soybean, and wheat diseases
Weather and Crop Bulletin (USDA)
Weekly weather and crop bulletin and weather highlights from the USDA's Office of the Chief Economist.
U.S. Drought Monitor
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. It is produced jointly by the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Kansas Livestock Association
The Kansas Livestock Association is a trade association representing 5,600 members on legislative and regulatory issues.
Livestock Marketing Information Center
Current market reports for grain as well as livestock

Garden Guides
Information on flowers, vegetables, and herbs
Gardening Know How
Ask gardening questions, purchase plants and products, etc
National Gardening Association
Full text articles, a zone finder, a pest control library, etc.
Old Farmer's Almanac
Information about weather, astronomy, gardening, farming and more.
Perry’s Perennial Pages
Publications, sources, leaflets, etc. for gardening
Plant Facts Database
Ohio State University's concentrated database for information, images, videos from every land-grant university in the U.S. and several government institutions across Canada.
Plants Database (NRCS)
USDA's National Resource Conservation Service's database to search plants by common name, scientific name, or symbol
Trees Are Good
Educational website about trees and how to properly care for trees.

Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)
SSSA provides quality research-based publications, educational programs, certifications, and science policy initiatives
Soil Surveys (by state)
Official USDA soil information as viewable maps and tables for more than 3200 soil surveys.

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
USDA's agency that links U.S. agriculture to the world, including trade policies, commodity exports, trade data, and global food security
International Trade Administration (ITA)
Under the US Department of Commerce, ITA strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of our trade laws and agreements
Kansas City Board of Trade
Electronic trading, market commentary, wheat stocks, etc.
TradePort
Free information and resources for businesses seeking to conduct international trade to and from California.