2003 Corn Silage Results

Dairy Days 2004 Brochure

Cattle Feeder Day, December 11, Rochester

Dairy Feeding Management Workshop - November 11 and 12

2003 North Central Two-Day Region Dairy Calf and Heifer Tour & Workshop - December 2-3, 2003

Milk House Waste Water Treatment Research and Demonstration Project

To Store or Not to Store?  2003 Post-Harvest Marketing Plans

Environmental Quality Assurance

Cash Rents for 2003 - 2004

Rental Agreement Forms Available on the Internet

Ag Tax Update: Changes in Tax Law, Guidelines, Procedures & Strategies

CASH RENTS FOR 2003 - 2004             

SURVEY RESULTS & SUMMARY

The University of Minnesota Extension Service is often looked to by landlords, tenants, and ag professionals for advice and information about land rental rates. To get more accurate cash rent data for our area, the University of Minnesota Extension Service has conducted a Cash Rent Survey. The survey results include data from 27 southern Minnesota counties. This web page is customized for Goodhue County and surrounding counties that participated in the survey.

In the 27 counties, we received 3,689 responses representing a total of 521,958 acres of land. Of these responses, 264 were flexible cash rental arrangements. A total of 343 responses were share rent arrangements. Township data is listed individually for each specific township. The data includes the number of parcels represented in that township, the number of tillable acres from responses, the actual average 2003 rent for the township, estimated average 2004 rent for the township, and the estimated 2004 rental range. Cash rents are calculated as weighted averages so data between two or more parcels can be compared. This rental data is to indicate trends in rental rates and nothing more. The data is NOT meant to establish, determine, set, or fix rental rates.  

USE OF THE SUMMARY

It is important to remember that no survey is perfect. These cash rent report results should be used only as a guideline when discussing land rental rates. Actual cash rental rates should be based on projected returns from crop production, typical cash rent rates in the area, and other factors. Items such as use of buildings, upgraded drainage systems, and rent to family members can influence cash rental rates. Be sure to value these factors accordingly when establishing rental agreements. 

When using the cash rental rate map for a specific township, be sure to look at the number of responses and number of acres reported for that township.  If there are fewer than 3-5 responses, be a bit cautious about the land rental rate number. Remember, the numbers are only a guide and not an absolute.

There are also guides at the end of the report which can be useful as you determine rental rates under different types of leases, and for the use of facilities on farms. 

We hope the data in this land rent report will be helpful in determining equitable rental arrangements. If more information or individual assistance is needed, contact your local University of Minnesota Extension Service office listed on the last page of the report.  

Rental Agreement Forms Available on the Internet

Each year the county extension offices get frequent calls for farm rental agreement outlines.  One good source of the forms is the Midwest Plan Service. The easiest way to access these forms is through www.mwpshq.org/.  Once on that page, click on the “free materials” link and it will take you to a page that includes lease forms.

These forms are generic in nature and should be modified as necessary to fit individual situations, but they do remind tenants and landlords of some of the key points to cover in an agreement.  There are outlines for cash rent, crop share, pastures, and building rental agreements available on the page.  These can be printed directly from your computer.

All rental agreements are recommended to be in writing.  It is not a matter of mistrust, but rather one of good business.  Should anything happen to one of the principle parties during the term of the lease, a written lease helps those handling the legal affairs know what has been done or needs to be done to complete the lease agreement.

For more information about rental agreements, contact your local county extension office, where they will put you in touch with the farm management specialist to address your specific needs.

By: Chuck Schwartau, Regional Extension Educator, Ag Production – Dairy (based in Goodhue County )