Farmland leasing workshop set

With the recent increases seen in farmland values, many people are asking, ?What will cash rental rates look like for the 2012 crop year??

To answer that question and more, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a farmland leasing workshop at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Lions building in Birmingham.

Bob Wells, ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist, will be the presenter. He will be discussing land values and leasing practices and will lead an interactive discussion on methods to calculate cash rent.

Setting cash rental rates in stable times is hard enough, said Wells, but setting cash rental rates when prices for corn, soybeans and input cost are extremely volatile is even more difficult.

?Since today?s cash rents typically reflect profitability from the previous year, the discussion will center on the 2011 Extension Cash Rental Survey and today?s agriculture profit structure,? explained Wells.

Rents on various quality soils and ways to determine land quality will be discussed. A unique feature of the meeting is that it addresses both landlord and tenant concerns in developing a fair cash rental agreement. Wells also will include a short presentation on the current agricultural outlook.

The farmland leasing workshop is $25 per person and includes a 2011 farm leasing arrangements booklet and a copy of the presentation. Preregistration is required by calling the Jefferson County ISU Extension Office at 472-4166. Registration cost can be paid at the door 30 minutes before the workshop begins. For anyone registering after Friday or at the meeting, a $5 late registration fee will be added.