Successful Farming magazine ad revenue is up. Anybody subscribe to it?

[EddieWalker]

I just read an article online at MAGS' ADS PLUNGE - New York Post about magazines that are losing money and was actually surprised at the ones that were making money. Granted, I never heard of some of them, but I'm thinking of giving Successful Farming a shot.

Here is a quote from the article that caught my eye.

"Only eight of the 118 consumer monthlies monitored by MIN posted gains during the reporting period. They are Fitness (up nearly 19 percent), Flex (up 18 percent), Saveur (up 11 percent), People's Style Watch (up 16 percent), Successful Farming (up 10 percent), Family Circle (up 8 percent), Hunting (up 8 percent) and Sports Illustrated Kids (up nearly 5 percent)."

I recently decided to not renew my subscription to Progressive Farmer after almost ten years of reading it. I went from reading every word, or every story, to just glancing through it and wishing for more detail and something new. While I'm not interested in farming, I am very interested in working the land and making improvements.

Does anybody read or subscribe to this magazine?

I found this website Agriculture Online Home which has some links from the magazine on it along the left hand side of the page. I haven't read any of the articles yet, but they sound interesting.

Eddie

 

[RollingsFarms]

my dentist subscribes to this and also The Furrow. thats the only reason i look forward going to the dentist twice a year, so i can read his farming magazines.haha Successful Farming is a very informative magazine imho. i was thinking about subscribing to one but just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

[tanglefoot]

Eddie,
I've been a subscriber for several years, but I also get Progressive Farmer. Ten years or so ago I decided to count the pages of reading material in each magazine I received one month and compare it to the number of pages of advertising. At that time, Progressive Farmer had about twice as many pages of ads as stories. So I dropped my subscription. Then Progressive Farmer started sending me offers that were only a few dollars a year, so I resubscribed. They have raised the price gradually over the years, so I guess it's time to drop them again.
As I recall, Successful Farming had a 50/50 ratio at that time. My favorite magazine, Farm Show carries no ads, but comes out only once every two months.
Butch

 

[tanglefoot]

Eddie,
I've been a subscriber for several years to both the magazines you mention. About ten years ago I decided to count the pages of advertising in each magazine I received in a month and compare that to the number of pages of reading material. Progressive Farmer had twice the number of pages of ads compared to number of pages of story. So I canceled my subscription. Then the magazine started sending subscription offers that were just a few dollars a year, less than half the old rate. So I resubscribed. Over the years they have snuck the rate back up. I guess it's time to cancel again.
Successful Farming had about a 50/50 ratio at that time. My favorite, Farm Show carries no ads, but only comes out once every two months.
Butch

 

[QRTRHRS]

Eddie,

I had suscribed to Successful Farming for a number of years but no longer do. Mostly, that mag is geared to the full time, let's say, mid size farmer. Some of the articles more of interest to me were on estate planning, garage space, tools/equipment, country life, home made equipment, large and small.

Expanding on the garages and equipment a bit, some of these articles highlight some very talented folks. We are talking about using an old combine motor/chassis, etc. to make some other type of useful farm equipment. The shops are often owner built with mezanenes, overhead cranes, etc. etc., all home built. Way cool!

A subscription is not that expensive but like many, I have to watch my budget these days. Having read your various posts, I think you would enjoy reading it while waiting as someone said at the doctor's office, whatever. I don't know that it would interest you long term.

 

[jrepp]

Eddie,

I agree with ORTRHRS, Successful Farming magazine is geared to the full time Farmers and Ranchers of America. It does a good job of giving them the information needed to make a living in a tough business. However, not being a Farmer or Rancher I have let my subscription expire. I do enjoy their TV show on RFDTV, the farm shop tours and tool reviews are good.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon Eddie,
I get Farming magazine, it is a free publication that I have delivered to my Vt property. Some very good articles in there occassionally. Last month they had a good article on switch grass as a future fuel source. A number of farms in upstate Ny are growing this crop and what is involved.

Im like you, not a farmer but do enjoy working on the property, and enjoy any good agricultural articles ! There are also quite a few advertisers for tractor attachments etc... in there also, which I find interesting !

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Eddie,

I subscribed to it for several years. It is geared towards the mid to large farming operation. However I found some good information in most issues. I did not resubscribe this year since I get several othe rmags and just wanted to cut-back. They will off you a better rate when you subscription runs out and have actually kept sending me mag "to show me what I am missing by not renewing" for the past few months.

David

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the replies. I've looked at their website and read a few of their articles, but lost interest in it pretty quickly. For whatever reason, I'm finding that all the magazines on tractors, rural living and country life type stuff are very vague on details. They might mentions that something is good, but won't get into specifics, and they never mention any negative aspects on anything. I understand most of what is reviewed is from advertisers, but it's gotten to the point that it's not even worth reading any of the magazines since they are all fluff without any substance.

I'm going to pass on this one.

Thank you,
Eddie