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Annual Land Rent Survey Saw Increases In 2022

Throughout the year, many individuals ask what the “going rate” is for farmland rental prices. That is a difficult question to answer. The rate fluctuates and is highly dependent on the individual farm ground being discussed. That is why when asked, Purdue Extension provides a range of values based on the annual Purdue Farmland Value Survey and stresses the importance of not simply utilizing the values given. Instead, landlords and tenants are told the final rental amount will need to be adjusted based on numerous items including the size of the field, drainage, soil fertility, ease of access for farm equipment, and much more. 

As a whole, the 2022 Purdue Farmland Value Survey found the average value of bare Indiana cropland increased. The average value of bare Indiana cropland ranged from $8,631 per acre for poor quality land (a 34% increase from 2021) to $12,808 per acre for top quality land (a 30.9% increase from 2021). The average corn yield for poor quality land was 161 bushels per acre and 221 bushels per acre for top quality land.

The 2022 survey average for Indiana cash rent increased too. On average, cash rents ranged between $207 per acre for poor quality land and $300 per acre for top quality land. Cash rents increased by 13.2% for poor quality land and 11.5% for top quality land since June of 2021.

The value for farmland moving out of agriculture (transition land) increased this year. The survey revealed there was a 36.5% increase in the average value of transition land since June of 2021. The average value of transition land in June 2022 was $24,240 per acre. The average value of recreational land increased by 21.8% since June of 2021. The average value of recreational land in June 2022 was $9,121 per acre. It is important to note that transition and recreational land values are quite volatile and have a wide range of values.

For individuals in our area it is probably of more importance to look at the results for the West Central Region. The West Central Region (consisting of Benton, Carroll, Fountain, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Warren, and White Counties), had cropland values that ranged from $9,012 per acre for poor quality land and $13,050 per acre for top quality land. Cash rents for the West Central Region varied from $247 per acre for poor quality land to $329 per acre for top quality land (average quality land was $289 per acre). For the West Central Region, cash rent values increased from 2021 to 2022.  The average corn yield for poor quality land was 170 bushels per acre and 229 bushels per acre for top quality land in this region.

Producers may also want to look at values for the Southwest Region due to the similarities in topography and soil productivity. The Southwest Region (consisting of Clay, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vigo, and Warrick Counties), had cropland values that ranged from $8,022 per acre for poor quality land and $13,825 per acre for top quality land. Cash rents for the Southwest Region varied from $194 per acre for poor quality land to $309 per acre for top quality land (average quality land was $244 per acre). For the Southwest Region, cash rent values increased from 2021 to 2022. The average corn yield for poor quality land was 164 bushels per acre and 236 bushels per acre for top quality land in this region.

To obtain your own copy of the 2022 Purdue Farmland Value Survey Results, contact your local Extension Office or go to Purdue Agricultural Economics Report. As a reminder, the values and information found within the survey should be adjusted for your individual situation when determining your rental agreement.

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