LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Beginning in February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National  Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact farmers and ranchers to gather land rental rate information for the Cash  Rents and Leases survey. The results of this survey will serve as a valuable decision-making tool for farmers, ranchers, and  other landowners and can be used for rental agreement negotiations.

“This brief survey is our only source of county cash rental rates,” said Bill Meyer, Director, Mountain Regional  Field Office. “By responding, producers help the farming community and ensure USDA bases its decisions on the most  accurate data.”

More than 19,000 regional farmers will receive the survey forms. NASS also offers the option of responding online  via a secure internet connection. In April, NASS representatives will begin calling landowners who have not yet responded. “NASS will combine your responses with your fellow producers nationwide, providing the only accurate and  comprehensive estimate of U.S. average rent and lease rates,” Meyer added.

The results of the cash rental rates survey for non-irrigated cropland, irrigated cropland, and pastureland will be  compiled, analyzed, and made available online at the state level August 5, 2022. County level estimates will be available  August 26, 2022.

As with all NASS surveys, the results of this survey will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no  individual operation or producer can be identified. These and all NASS reports are available online at  http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/.

–USDA, NASS