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Oklahoma Pasture Rental Rates 2016-2017

Rental agreements and rates are influenced by the landowner’s costs, the tenant’s expected earnings, previous rates charged, competition for the land, government programs, tax laws and the non-agricultural economy. The results of a statewide farmland leasing survey conducted in 2016 are reported here. Respondents were individuals contacted through the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service who agreed to complete periodic surveys plus recipients of a mailing by the Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service. Approximately 330 surveys were returned with useable data. Figure 1 shows regions of the state used in reporting survey results: northwest, southwest, northcentral and east.

 

Regions Used in Reporting Farmland Leasing Survey Results

 

Figure 1. Regions Used in Reporting Farmland Leasing Survey Results.

 

 

 

 

 

On average, rental agreements for native pasture had been in effect for 13 years, 11 years for Bermudagrass and 10 years for other pasture (Table 1). The statewide average lease size was 467 acres for native pasture, 226 acres for Bermudagrass and 204 for other pasture. Median values are provided as an additional measure of the central tendency of the survey response distribution. The median is the value at the midpoint of the survey responses. Survey results document some regional differences in rental rates and average sizes of tracts rented. Figures 1a and 1b show the distribution of statewide responses regarding acres and the years held for native and Bermudagrass pasture leases, respectively.

 

Relative Frequency for Rental Statistics for Native Pasture

 

Figure 1a. Relative Frequency for Rental Statistics for Native Pasture, 2016-2017.

 

 

 

 

 

Relative Frequency for Rental Statistics for Bermudagrass

 

Figure 1b. Relative Frequency for Rental Statistics for Bermudagrass, 2016-2017.

 

 

 

 

 

Table 1. Rental Statistics for Pasture, 2016-2017.

      Native Pasture    
  Northwest Southwest North Central East State
Acres in Lease          
Number of Observations 38 42 27 63 170
Average 368 610 409 457 467
Median1 230 235 200 160 166
Average Years Lease Held          
Number of Observations 36 38 26 60 160
Average 13 16 13 12 13
Median1 9 11 10 10 10
    Bermuda    
  Southwest North Central East State
Acres in Lease        
Number of Observations 31 15 57 105
Average 257 113 238 226
Median1 - - 160 -
Average Years Lease Held        
Number of Observations 30 15 54 101
Average 11 9 11 11
Median1 10 - 8 -
 


Other Pasture       
  Northwest2 Southwest2 East3 State
Acres in Lease        
Number of Observations 4 6 19 32
Average 325 154 211 204
Median1 370 132 - 157
Average Years Lease Held        
Number of Observations 4 6 16 29
Average 15 11 10 10
Median1 15 13 6 8

 – Insufficient observations.

1 Median values that represent single observations are omitted.

2  Predominantly Old World Bluestem.

3 Predominantly Fescue.

 
 

Most tenants and landlords in Oklahoma appear to be satisfied with their lease agreements. About 65 percent of the respondents classified their leasing agreements as good or excellent from the standpoint of fairness with an additional 22 percent classifying their agreements as adequate. These levels of satisfaction have remained steady during the past several years.

 

Pasture Rental Rates

Common methods of renting pasture include:

  1. rate per acre,
  2. fixed rate per hundredweight per month,
  3. flat rate per pound of gain or
  4. share of gain or profit.

In addition to factors previously mentioned — the landowner’s costs, the livestock owner’s expected earnings and previous rates charged, etc. — the kind and quality of pasture, fences, location and water also influence the pasture rental rate. Negotiations determine the type of agreement and the relative weight given to different factors.

Rental rates for native, Bermudagrass and other pasture are listed in Table 2. With regards to native pasture, the state average rental rate of $13.95 per acre increased less than $1 per acre compared to the 2014 rate of $13.39.1 Native pasture rental rates were lowest in northwest Oklahoma at $10.94 per acre and highest in eastern Oklahoma at $16.73 per acre.  Figure 2a shows the distribution of per acre rates reported for native pasture in Oklahoma.

The state average rental rate for Bermudagrass pasture was $22.79 per acre, up $1.74 per acre from the previous survey. Figure 2b shows the distribution of per acre rates reported for Bermudagrass pasture in Oklahoma.

 

Relative Frequency of Responses for Native Pasture Rental Rates

 

Figure 2a. Relative Frequency of Responses for Native Pasture Rental Rates.

 

 

 

 

 

Relative Frequency of Responses for Bermuda Pasture Rental Rates

 

Figure 2b. Relative Frequency of Responses for Bermuda Pasture Rental Rates.

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2. Cash Rental Rates for Pastures, 2016-2017.

      Native Pasture    
  Northwest Southwest North Central East State
$/acre/year          
Number of Observations 31 39 21 50 141
Average $10.94 $12.78 $13.95 $16.73 $13.95
Median1 $10.00 $12.00 $13.00 $14.50 $12.00
    Bermuda    
  Southwest North Central East State
$/acre/year        
Number of Observations 25 14 39 79
Average $20.27 $24.55 $23.96 $22.79
Median1 - $17.50 $20.00 -
 
   Other Pasture      
  Northwest2 Southwest2 East3 State
$/acre/year        
Number of Observations 4 5 13 26
Average $17.83 $17.40 $25.55 $22.09
Median1 $10.66 - $20.00 $20.00

 – Insufficient observations.

1 Median values that represent single observations are omitted.

2  Predominantly Old World Bluestem.

3 Predominantly Fescue.

 

Pasture rental rates for stockers on small grain winter grazing averaged $0.38 per pound of gain and $0.45 for leases including grazeout, down sharply from 2014 levels (Table 3). Pasture lease agreements may assign responsibility for checking livestock, providing salt and minerals or supplemental feed or pasture, and repairing fence to the tenant or landlord or both. Table 4 summarizes the distribution of survey responses by type of pasture: small grain winter grazing, small grain grazeout and other pasture (includes native, Bermudagrass and other improved pasture). Generally, the livestock owner was responsible for most of the terms of the pasture lease, although there are opportunities for sharing by both parties. In the winter grazing leases, less responsibilities were reported to be shared compared to the 2014 survey, with some responsibilities like fertilizer costs shifted to the pasture producer.

 

Table 3. Small Grain Pasture Rental Rates, 2016-17.

  Winter Grazing (November - March) Both Winter Grazing and Grazeout (November - May)
Acres in Lease    
Numbers of observations 25 41
Average 446 419
Median1 - 160
Average Years Lease Held    
Number of observations 23 39
Average 11 11
Median1 - -
$/lb of gain    
Number of observations 6 11
Average $0.38 $0.45
Median1 $0.35 $0.45

1 Median values that represent single observations are omitted.

 
 

Table 4. Responsibility of Parties in Pasture Lease Agreements, 2016-17 (percent of responses).*

    Small Grain Winter Grazing    
  Pasture Producer Livestock Owner Both No. Obs.
    (percent)    
Checking livestock 12 76 12 25
Salt and minerals 4 88 8 25
Fencing materials 43 43 1 23
Fencing labor 42 50 8 24
Fertilizer cost 57 35 9 23
Supplemental feeding 12 80 8 25
Supplemental pasture 9 82 9 22
Water 55 36 9 22
Death loss 0 92 8 25
    Both Winter Grazing and Grazeout    
  Pasture Producer Livestock Owner Both No. Obs.
    (percent)    
Checking livestock 22 66 12 41
Salt and minerals 27 71 2 41
Fencing materials 37 56 7 41
Fencing labor 32 59 7 41
Fertilizer cost 44 49 7 41
Supplemental feeding 32 63 5 41
Supplemental pasture 38 59 3 39
Water 46 46 7 41
Death loss 8 80 13 40
 
   Other Pasture      
  Pasture Producers Livestock Owner Both No. Obs.
Checking livestock 10 82 8 289
Salt and minerals 8 85 7

 

286

Fencing materials 23 61 16 286
Fencing labor 17 71 12 287
Fertilizer cost 16 73 11 266
Supplemental feeding 8 85 6 283
Supplemental pasture 9 85 6 269
Water 28 62 10 285
Death loss 8 86 6 284

* Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding.

 
 

Table 5. Average Gross Cash Rent (Dollars per Acre) for Pasture Dryland, Selected States, 2007-2016.

  2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
          $/acre
Oklahoma 9.5 10.5 10.5 11 11.5
Kansas 14.5 15.5 15.5 15.5 16
Missouri 26 26 25 24 25.5
Texas 6.2 6.5 6.2 6.1 7.5
  2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
           
Oklahoma 11.5 12 12 12 13.5
Kansas 16.5 17.5 17.5 20 19
Missouri 28 29 29 34 32
Texas 6.5 6.5 6.5 7.5 6.8

Source: Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics 2016, USDA/NASS, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, http://www.nass.usda.gov/ok/.

 
 

Other Lease Terms

Many lease agreements specify terms and conditions beyond the rental rate, which affect the value of the lease and the “real” rental rate. Tenants may or may not be allowed to hunt, harvest pecans, cut timber, use buildings or other improvements and lease out hunting privileges. Lime application costs or similar costs for improvements in which the benefits are returned over a number of years may be shared by the landlord and tenant, or if the tenant pays for them initially, repaid by the landlord at a fixed rate per year.

Tenants may be required to maintain fences, spray or clip weeds annually, provide liability insurance, share oil field damages, maintain terraces and leave strips of grain in the field for game. Landlords may provide a well and water, fencing material, or land for a mobile home. Tenants may ask for several months notice if the landlord wishes to terminate the lease agreement. In some cases, leases contain an option to buy with rental payments applied to the purchase price.

Historical and Regional Perspective 

Table 4 provides historical data on pasture rental rates for Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas for 2007-2016 as reported by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). County level pasture rental rate data is available at: https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/results/E0F5EB36-3313-3D7B-9E7F-E56A3365CF2B#9A9F55D7-E267-38C6-ACB9-DF106291B5A7. The next bi-annual USDA Cash Rent Survey will be available with the 2018 release in September 2018.

Concluding Comments

“Fair” rents must be negotiated between tenant and landlord. Regional or state average rental rates may be used as a beginning point for discussion and negotiation of rental rates. However, differences in land quality and improvements, and restrictions on land use can greatly impact the value of potential leases. Likewise, differences in family living expenses and hired labor costs can be substantial for different operations, affecting the maximum rental bids.

New legal restrictions and liability factors may call for changes in future farm lease agreements. Some farm management firms include language requiring that the tenant will be responsible for following label restrictions in the use of pesticides, for remaining in compliance with the farm’s conservation plan, and for disposing of wastes in a manner approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, etc. Some leases already stipulate precisely what fertilizers, pesticides, and seed may be used on the property. Both landlords and tenants must be aware of changing environmental laws and regulations to avoid potentially costly liabilities.

To help educate landlords and tenants with equitable lease agreements and current best management practices, visit the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Ag Land Lease website at http://www.aglandlease.info or http://www.aglease.info.  A joint effort between OSU’s Plant and Soil Sciences and Agricultural Economics Departments, the website contains a wide assortment of farm management spreadsheet tools, lease information and forms, rental rate and land value resources, legal and tax considerations, livestock and hunting lease publications plus the latest production practices in Oklahoma.

The AgLease101.org website hosts several North Central Farm Management Extension Committee (NCFMEC) publications on leasing including these titles:

  • Crop Share Rental Arrangements For Your Farm, NCFMEC-2
  • Fixed and Flexible Cash Rental Arrangements For Your Farm, NCFMEC-1
  • Pasture Rental Arrangements, NCFMEC-3

In addition to publications, worksheets and free downloadable sample lease forms are available on the site.

Recent Oklahoma school land lease auction information is also available through the Real Estate Management Division of Commissioners of the Land Office at https://clo.ok.gov/services/auction-information/real-estate/.

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