Iowa Ag Connection - Learn About Leasing Arrangements at Farmland Meetings

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Learn About Leasing Arrangements at Farmland Meetings
Iowa Ag Connection - 06/21/2017

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 that land owners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland.farm leasing meeting

Core components of the program 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/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa's valuable farmland," said Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor of economics and extension economist at Iowa State University. "Cash rent values across the state of Iowa have declined for the fourth consecutive year, dropping by 4.8 percent from 2016, an accumulated 18.9 percent 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 agri-business 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 programs, with resources regarding land leasing agreements such as surveys, sample written lease agreements and termination forms, along with many other publications.

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 the Ag Decision Maker website at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html.

For registration information, contact an ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Pre-registration 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 also provides useful materials for negotiating leases, information on various types of leases, lease forms and newly updated Decision Tools.

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