Date:
7/15/2009 12:00:00 AM
Title:
USDA to Collect Data on Land Rental Rates
LAKEWOOD, CO – The U.S. Department of Agriculture relies on cash rental data to develop and administer programs that benefit Colorado’s farmers and rural communities. To provide this needed information, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will soon begin contacting farmers and ranchers throughout the state to participate in the Cash Rents Survey.
Results will be reported in the spring of 2010 when NASS publishes the average cash rental rates at the national, state and county levels for non-irrigated cropland, irrigated cropland and pastureland.
“This data can be an important decision-making tool for farmers, ranchers and other landowners,” said Bill Meyer, director of the NASS Colorado Field Office. “For instance, it can be used in negotiating rental agreements and in making future business decisions.”
To collect the data, NASS will mail survey forms to some producers and will contact others by phone as part of its routine livestock and crop surveys.
“Our goal is to make it as convenient as possible for farmers and ranchers to provide this information. They can mail a survey form back, reply online or over the phone,” Meyer said.
“Regardless of which method they choose, they can be assured that the confidentiality of all responses is protected by federal law. NASS publishes only aggregate-level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.”
For more information about the Cash Rents Survey, call the NASS Colorado Field Office at
(800) 392-3202. All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
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