Setting Cash Rental Rates in Nebraska

Cash rental rates for Nebraska farmland fluctuate with commodity prices, production costs, and local supply/demand conditions. The most recent surveys showed dryland and irrigated rental rates steady to slightly lower, reflecting crop price pressures, whereas pasture/grazing rates rose modestly tied to livestock markets.

Landowners should consider local USDA-NASS and University of Nebraska rental data and regional trends when setting rates, while tenants should align rates with expected yields and input costs. Flexible lease provisions — such as sharing in yield and/or commodity price upside or downside — can help balance risk in volatile markets.