Beginning this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will contact West Virginia farmers 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 and can be used for 2018 rental agreement negotiations.

“This brief survey is our only source of county cash rental rates,” said Charmaine Wilson, West Virginia state statistician. “By responding, producers help the farming community and ensure USDA bases its decisions on the most accurate data.”

Data Uses

• Farm Service Agency (FSA) uses cash rent county estimates to determine market-based rates in administering USDA programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
• Other state and federal government agencies, universities, and research organizations use these data for other forms of economic analysis.
• The data provide farmers with current information about rental rates in their county and are available for their use in making decisions regarding renting and leasing farmland.

NASS will publish average cash rental rates at national, state and county levels for non-irrigated cropland, irrigated cropland, and pastureland Sept. 8.

More than 2,000 West Virginia farmers will receive the survey forms. NASS offers the option of responding online via a secure internet connection. In late March, NASS representatives will begin calling and visiting farmers 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,” Wilson added.