Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host multiple farmland leasing meetings during July and August at various times and locations throughout Iowa. The annual meetings are offered to address questions landowners, tenants and other interested individuals have about leasing farmland.
Topics covered will include land values and cash rent trends, cost of production, methods for determining a rental rate, legal updates regarding leases, and communication between tenants or landlords. Additional topics vary by location.

“More than half of Iowa’s farmland is rented, and strong landlord and tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa’s valuable land,” says Alejandro Plastina, an economics professor and Extension economist at Iowa State University. “Cash rent values across Iowa have declined for the fourth consecutive year, dropping by 4.8% from 2016, an accumulated 18.9% decline since 2013. Variations in the survey results occur at the county and district level. Farmland leasing meetings provide an outlet for further understanding of these results and more.”

The three-hour workshop is designed to assist landowners, farm tenants and other agribusiness professionals with current issues related to farmland ownership, management and leasing arrangements. Attendees will gain a better understanding of current cash rental rate surveys and factors driving next year’s rents, such as market trends and input costs. Comments from past participants highlight the value of the materials provided and depth of information covered in the short program.

A 100-page workbook is compiled for the meetings, with resources for land leasing agreements, such as surveys, sample written lease agreements and termination forms, along with many other publications.

Attend a local meeting
The leasing meetings being held across Iowa are facilitated by farm management specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach. An online listing of County Extension Offices hosting the meetings is available with additional information available through ISU’s Ag Decision Maker website.

For registration information, contact an ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Preregistration is encouraged as an additional $5 fee may be added if registering less than two calendar days before the meeting date.

The Ag Decision Maker leasing section on the website also provides useful materials for negotiating leases, information on various types of leases, lease forms and newly updated Decision Tools.

Source: Iowa State University