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USDA-NASS data can be useful in setting cash rental rates for the coming crop year.

Chris Torres, Editor, American Agriculturist

January 23, 2020

1 Min Read
A landowner and farmer have a discussion in the field
RENTAL NEGOTIATING: If you plan on renting some of your land to another farmer this spring, one useful tool that could help you set a rate is the USDA-NASS cash rental tool.shotbydave/Getty Images

Massachusetts has the most expensive cropland rental rates in the region, according to data from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Cash rental rates for 2019 were $240 an acre for irrigated land and $71 an acre for nonirrigated land in the state. The $88-an-acre average was not the highest, though. That distinction went to Delaware, which averaged $119 an acre in 2019.

The cash rental tool from NASS is a handy guide to helping landowners set cash rental rates for the coming year. You can access the tool and do your own research online.

You will need to specify “geographical regions” and “years.” In most cases you will be able to get irrigated and nonirrigated cropland rental rates, as well as pastureland rental rates.

The rental rate survey for 2020 will be released in August.

Here are the 2019 cash rental rates by state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast:

Connecticut

  • Nonirrigated: $60 an acre

Delaware

  • Average: $119 an acre

  • Irrigated: $161 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $97 an acre

Maine

  • Nonirrigated: $62 an acre

Maryland

  • Average: $109 an acre

  • Irrigated: $196 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $100 an acre

  • Pastureland: $44 an acre

Massachusetts

  • Average: $88 an acre

  • Irrigated: $240 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $71 an acre

New Hampshire

  • Average: $44 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $40 an acre

New Jersey

  • Average: $82 an acre

  • Irrigated: $139 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $65 an acre

  • Pastureland: $45 an acre

New York

  • Average: $66 an acre

  • Irrigated: $145 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $65 an acre

  • Pastureland: $26 an acre

Pennsylvania

  • Average: $94 an acre

  • Irrigated: $173 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $93 an acre

  • Pastureland: $27 an acre

Vermont

  • Average: $51 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $50 an acre

  • Pastureland: $29 an acre

West Virginia

  • Average: $43 an acre

  • Nonirrigated: $43 an acre

  • Pastureland: $14 an acre

About the Author(s)

Chris Torres

Editor, American Agriculturist

Chris Torres, editor of American Agriculturist, previously worked at Lancaster Farming, where he started in 2006 as a staff writer and later became regional editor. Torres is a seven-time winner of the Keystone Press Awards, handed out by the Pennsylvania Press Association, and he is a Pennsylvania State University graduate.

Torres says he wants American Agriculturist to be farmers' "go-to product, continuing the legacy and high standard (former American Agriculturist editor) John Vogel has set." Torres succeeds Vogel, who retired after 47 years with Farm Progress and its related publications.

"The news business is a challenging job," Torres says. "It makes you think outside your small box, and you have to formulate what the reader wants to see from the overall product. It's rewarding to see a nice product in the end."

Torres' family is based in Lebanon County, Pa. His wife grew up on a small farm in Berks County, Pa., where they raised corn, soybeans, feeder cattle and more. Torres and his wife are parents to three young boys.

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