By Jennifer Pena

One great thing about the Web is that it’s constantly growing — new ideas, products, services and companies show up every day. In the ag biz, it’s no different. We’ve found a few sites that are just getting started, well on their way, or somewhere in between. When you finish your explorations, head for www.auri.org and see what we’re up to.

The cattleman’s resource
www.mycattle.com

Where’s the beef? Right here, on a site packed with information for the cattle farmer. You’ll find a wide selection of news and reports, updated daily, on animal health, stocks, markets, trends and more. Post a classified, use the searchable database to find cattle industry professionals, or add yourself to the list. This is a fine site for keeping track of the cattle industry.

Grain systems at a discount
www.discountgrain.com

Like to shop around? Compare prices at this site. Discount Grain Systems of Atwater, Minn. wants to be your source for new or used grain storage, drying and handling equipment (see the "Hot List" for bargains). Call or e-mail questions to their experienced sales representatives, and keep an eye out for their all-steel building special. An easy-to-navigate site.

Down home on the range
www.farmandranchguide.com

From weather updates to family entertainment, The Farm and Ranch Guide’s Web site is for those who love living “where the deer and antelope play.” Resources include an association guide and a country store, complete with "down home" quality merchandise, including videos on mule deer stalking (the site’s folks hail from North Dakota and Montana). For a little humor, real-life farm stories or recipes, click to the “Country Living” section and select from a panel of talented columnists.

Reap the news
www.eharvest.com/index.cfm

This site compiles so much ag information you’ll visit it again and again. Whether you’re a farmer, businessperson or student, eharvest delivers marketplace news and a good search engine. Check on available ag jobs, or post an ad to buy or sell — for free. We like free, and we like how well put together this site is.

Seeds for the frontier
www.mohnseed.com

If you love prairie wildlife, Mohn Frontier Seed Company of Cottonwood, Minn. might be a good place to source your seeds. The company offers wildflower seeds and plants, prairie grasses and custom-made product mixes to bring out the best in prairie, woodland or wetland restorations. The site is a no-hassle, easy-to-navigate information and sales source.

A place for horsey things
www.horsenaround.com

Horse’n Around’s goal: to be the number-one source for the Midwest horse industry. The site is a way for farmers and horse-related businesses to promote products, services, stallions and facilities to other equine enthusiasts. The company will also help with marketing plans and attracting new customers. If you’re just a horse admirer, subscribe to the monthly update, which covers a wide variety of horse industry information. Finds on this site include nutrition information, dressage tips, rodeo news and other horse-y stuff.

Orchard in Nebraska
www.geocities.com/NapaValley/Vineyard/2101

"An apple a day…." leads to a dream orchard for this site author. The site is devoted to an apple orchard growing a dozen varieties in Oshkosh, Neb. The Jenewein Orchard originated in 1994 and is now 180 trees strong on one-tenth of an acre. Self-described as "simply an information page," this site has a great beginners’ story to tell and some excellent apple descriptions. E-mail the author to obtain advice on starting your own orchard. Worth a peek.

Meat for the world
www.usmef.org

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is a non-profit trade association working to ensure international markets for U.S. red meats: beef, pork, lamb and veal. Non-members can read public news and fact sheets or do a supplier search. The site includes an extensive list of USMEF packer members, including their establishment number, plant information, contact names, products, approvals and certifications.