Ohio cropland varies significantly in its production capabilities and cropland values and cash rents vary widely throughout the state. Generally speaking, western Ohio cropland values and cash rents differ substantially from eastern Ohio cropland values and cash rents. This is due to a number of factors including land productivity and potential crop return, the variability of those crop returns, field size, field shape, drainage, population, ease of access, market access, local market price, potential for wildlife damage, field perimeter characteristics and competition for rented cropland in a region. This fact sheet is a summary of data collected for western Ohio cropland values and cash rents.
Ohio cropland values and cash rental rates are projected to decrease in 2014. According to the Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents Survey, bare cropland values are expected to decrease from 4.0 to 5.4 percent in 2014 depending on the region and land class. Cash rents are expected to decrease from 0.1 to 3.1 percent depending on the region and land class.
The Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents study was conducted from January through April in 2014. The study is an opinion-based survey of professionals’ knowledge about Ohio’s cropland values and rental rates. Surveyed groups include farm managers, rural appraisers, agricultural lenders, OSU Extension educators, farmers, landowners and Farm Service Agency personnel.
One hundred 27 surveys were completed, analyzed and summarized. Respondents were asked to give responses based on three classes of land in their area: "average" land, "top" land and "poor" land. They were asked to estimate five-year corn and soybean yields for each land class based on typical farming practices. Survey respondents were asked to estimate current bare cropland values and cash rents negotiated in the current or recent year for each land class. Survey results are summarized below for western Ohio and regional summaries (subsets of western Ohio) are presented for northwest Ohio and southwest Ohio.
Tables show the Average (mean) of each measure, Standard Deviation of the data for that measure (measure of variability) and Range (average minus and plus one standard deviation). These latter two numbers reported indicate a range within which about two-thirds of the responses in the data for that measure will fall.
When interpreting this summary of survey results please be aware that results will differ widely within a region and it will be useful to consider the ranges that are listed in the tables as you consider how your parcels may compare. It is also important to stress that land in a given region does not fall neatly into thirds of each land class (average, top and poor). There will likely be very little acreage in a given county or region that will fall into the "top" land category. Top land will typically be large tracts of land with highly productive soils. "Average" land will typically make up the majority of land in a given region or county while "poor" land will tend to be land with lower productivity soils, poor drainage or come in smaller tracts (or a combination).
Factors Affecting Cash Rental Rates
Ultimately, supply and demand of cropland for rent will determine the cash rental rate for each parcel. The expected return from producing crops on a farm parcel is the overriding factor in determining the demand for a farm and is the primary driver in establishing an equitable rental rate. Local supply and demand of cropland will be the primary driver of cash rental rates. Many of the following factors contribute to the expected crop return and the supply and demand of cropland. Other factors listed affect potential rental negotiations in different ways.
- Expected Crop Return: Rent will vary based on expected crop return. The higher the expected return the higher the rent will tend to be.
- Variability of Crop Return: Land that exhibits highly variable returns may have rents discounted for this quality. For example, land that is poorly drained may exhibit variability of returns due to late plantings from wet springs.
- Land (Soil) Quality: Higher quality soils translate into higher rents.
- Fertility Levels: Higher fertility levels often result in higher cash rents.
- Drainage Capabilities: Better surface and sub-surface drainage of a farm often results in better yields and higher potential cash rent.
- Buildings and Grain Storage Availability: Access to machinery and grain storage may enhance the value of the cropland rental rate.
- Size of Farm: Large farms/fields typically command higher average cash rent per acre due to the efficiencies gained by operators.
- Location of Farm (Including Road Access): Proximity to prospective operators may determine how much operators are willing to bid for cash rents. Good road access will generally enhance cash rent amounts.
- Shape of Fields: Square fields with fewer "point rows" will generally translate into higher cash rents as operators gain efficiencies from farming fields that are square.
- Previous Tillage Systems or Crops: Previous crops and tillage systems that allow for an easy transition for new operators may enhance the cash rent value.
- USDA Farm Program Measurables: Farms that participate in the USDA Farm Program and have higher "program yields" may command higher cash rents than non-program farms.
- Services Provided by Operator: Operators that "go the extra mile" by providing services such as clearing fence rows, plowing snow in the winter, and other services may be valued by the landowner. This may even be a partial substitute for cash rent increases.
- Conditions of Lease: Conditions placed on the lease by the landowner may result in fewer prospective operators and a lower average cash rent.
- Payment Dates: Leases that require part or all of the rent to be paid early in the year ("up front") may result in lower rental rates due to higher borrowing or opportunity costs for the operator.
- Reputation of Landowner/Operator: Reputations of the parties may play a part in the cash rental negotiations. A landowner that has a reputation of being difficult to work with may see cash rents negatively affected by this reputation. Farmers with a negative reputation may find they may have to pay higher rents.
- Special Contracts Tied to the Farm: Farms that have special contracts tied to them may restrict the operator from changing crops based on market conditions. This may negatively impact cash rents. There may also be contracts that positively affect cash rents such as high-value crop contracts or contracts for receiving livestock manure.
- Field Border Characteristics: Fields surrounded by tree-lined fence rows, wood lots or other borders affecting crop growth at the field edge will negatively impact yield and therefore should be considered in rental negotiations.
- Wildlife Damage Potential: Fields adjacent to significant wildlife cover including woodlots, tree-lined fence rows, creeks and streams, etc., may limit production potential to border rows and should be considered in rental negotiations.
Western Ohio Results
Survey results from western Ohio are summarized in Table 1. See Figure 1 for counties included in this survey.
 |
| Figure 1. Western Ohio |
Average Cropland
Survey results for "average" producing cropland show an average yield to be 170.0 bushels of corn per acre. Results show that the value of "average" cropland in western Ohio was $7,496 per acre in 2013. According to survey data this "average" producing cropland is expected to be valued at $7,142 per acre in 2014. This is a projected decrease of 4.7 percent.
"Average" cropland rented for an average of $211 per acre in 2013 according to survey results. "Average" cropland is expected to rent for $205 per acre in 2014. This equates to a cash rent of $1.24 per bushel of corn produced. Rents in the "average" cropland category are expected to equal 2.9 percent of land value in 2014.
Top Cropland
Survey results indicate that "top" performing cropland in western Ohio averages 199.3 bushels of corn per acre. Results also show that average value of "top" cropland in 2013 was $9,082 per acre. According to this survey "top" cropland in western Ohio is expected to be valued at $8,654 in 2014. This is a projected decrease of 4.7 percent.
"Top" cropland in western Ohio rented for an average of $275 per acre in 2013 according to survey results. "Top" cropland is expected to rent for $268 in 2014. This equates to a cash rent of $1.34 per bushel of corn produced. Rents in the "top" cropland category are expected to equal 3.1 percent of land value in 2014.
Poor Cropland
The survey summary shows the average yield for "poor" performing cropland equals 140.0 bushels of corn per acre. Results also show that the average value of "poor" cropland was $5,953 per acre in 2013. According to survey data this "poor" producing cropland is expected to be valued at $5,658 in 2014. This is a decrease of 5 percent.
"Poor" cropland rented for an average of $144 per acre in 2012 according to survey results. Cash Rent for "Poor" cropland is expected to average $155 per acre in 2014. This equates to a cash rent of $1.11 per bushel of corn produced in 2014. Rents in the "poor" cropland category are expected to equal 2.7 percent of land value in 2014.
| Table 1. Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents—Western Ohio Results | ||||||
| Land Class | Average | Standard Deviation | Range* | |||
| Average | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 170.0 | 15.6 | 185.6 | 154.4 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 50.3 | 4.3 | 54.5 | 46.0 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $7,496 | $1,536 | $9,032 | $5,960 | |
| 2014 | $7,142 | $1,543 | $8,685 | $5,598 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $211 | $43 | $254 | $167 | |
| 2014 | $205 | $42 | $247 | $163 | ||
| Top | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 199.3 | 17.9 | 217.1 | 181.4 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 61.8 | 6.0 | 67.8 | 55.8 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $9,082 | $1,818 | $10,900 | $7,265 | |
| 2014 | $8,654 | $1,802 | $10,456 | $6,852 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $275 | $57 | $332 | $218 | |
| 2014 | $268 | $56 | $324 | $211 | ||
| Poor | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 140.0 | 16.3 | 156.3 | 123.7 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 39.8 | 6.6 | 46.4 | 33.2 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $5,953 | $1,423 | $7,376 | $4,530 | |
| 2014 | $5,658 | $1,483 | $7,141 | $4,174 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $156 | $44 | $201 | $112 | |
| 2014 | $155 | $45 | $200 | $110 | ||
| Five Year Projected Percent Change in Cropland Value | -8.92% | 11.58% | 2.66% | –20.50% | ||
| Five Year Projected Percent Change in Cash Rent | -8.71% | 11.51% | 2.80% | –20.21% | ||
| Mortgage Interest Rate—20 Year Fixed—Projected 2014 | 5.13% | 0.77% | 5.90% | 4.36% | ||
| Operating Loan Rate—Projected 2014 | 4.29% | 0.84% | 5.13% | 3.46% | ||
| Pasture Cash Rent—Projected 2014—Improved, Non-Rotation | $66 | $31 | $98 | $35 | ||
| Pasture Land Value—Projected 2014—Improved, Non-Rotation | $4,052 | $1,548 | $5,600 | $2,504 | ||
| *Range—One standard deviation above and below the average (mean). Approximately two-thirds of the responses fall within this range. | ||||||
Northwest Ohio Results
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| Figure 2. Northwest Ohio |
Survey results from northwest Ohio are summarized in Table 2.
Average Cropland
Yields for "average" producing cropland average 162.9 bushels of corn per acre or 49.0 bushels of soybeans per acre. Results show that the value of "average" cropland in northwest Ohio was $7,320 per acre in 2013. According to survey data this "average" producing cropland is expected to be valued at $7,009 per acre in 2014. This is a projected decrease of 4.3 percent.
"Average" cropland rented for an average of $191 per acre in 2013 according to survey results and is expected to rent for $187 in 2014, which equals $1.15 per bushel of corn produced. Rents in the "average" cropland category are expected to equal 2.7 percent of land value in 2014.
Top Cropland
Survey results indicate that "top" performing cropland in northwest Ohio averages 192.4 bushels of corn per acre or 60.3 bushels of soybeans per acre. Results also show that the average value of "top" cropland was $8,867 per acre in 2013. According to this survey "top" producing cropland in northwest Ohio is expected to be valued at $8,389 in 2014. This is a projected decrease of 5.4 percent.
"Top" cropland in northwest Ohio rented for an average of $245 per acre in 2013 and is expected to rent for $240 in 2014 according to survey results, which equals $1.25 per bushel of corn produced. Rents in the "top" cropland category are expected to equal 2.9 percent of land value.
Poor Cropland
The survey summary shows the average yield for "poor" performing cropland in northwestern Ohio equals 135.3 bushels of corn per acre or 37.8 bushels of soybeans per acre. Results also show that the average value of "poor" cropland was $5,759 per acre in 2013 and is expected to average $5,455 per acre in 2014. This is a projected decrease of 5.3 percent.
"Poor" cropland rented for an average of $140 per acre in 2013 and is expected to average $140 per acre in 2014 according to survey results, which equals $1.11 per bushel of corn produced. Rents in the "poor" cropland category are expected to equal 2.7 percent of land value in 2014.
The northwest region for the purposes of this survey includes Williams, Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa, Defiance, Henry, Wood, Sandusky, Paulding, Putnam, Hancock, Seneca, Van Wert, Allen, Hardin, Wyandot, Crawford, Marion and Morrow counties. See Figure 2.
| Table 2. Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents—Northwest Ohio Results | ||||||
| Land Class | Average | Standard Deviation | Range* | |||
| Average | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 162.9 | 11.7 | 174.7 | 151.2 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 49.0 | 4.1 | 53.1 | 44.8 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $7,320 | $1,318 | $8,638 | $6,002 | |
| 2014 | $7,009 | $1,297 | $8,306 | $5,711 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $191 | $41 | $232 | $150 | |
| 2014 | $187 | $40 | $227 | $147 | ||
| Top | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 192.4 | 13.1 | 205.5 | 179.3 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 60.3 | 6.3 | 66.7 | 54.0 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $8,867 | $1,455 | $10,323 | $7,412 | |
| 2014 | $8,389 | $1,385 | $9,774 | $7,004 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $245 | $52 | $298 | $193 | |
| 2014 | $240 | $52 | $292 | $189 | ||
| Poor | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 135.3 | 15.4 | 150.7 | 119.9 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 37.8 | 4.6 | 42.3 | 33.2 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $5,759 | $1,381 | $7,140 | $4,378 | |
| 2014 | $5,455 | $1,347 | $6,802 | $4,108 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $140 | $35 | $175 | $106 | |
| 2014 | $140 | $34 | $174 | $106 | ||
| Five Year Projected Percent Change in Cropland Value | -10.56% | 9.22% | -1.34% | –19.78% | ||
| Five Year Projected Percent Change in Cash Rent | -8.53% | 9.24% | 0.71% | –17.77% | ||
| Mortgage Interest Rate—20 Year Fixed—Projected 2014 | 5.06% | 0.84% | 5.89% | 4.22% | ||
| Operating Loan Rate—Projected 2014 | 4.10% | 0.50% | 4.60% | 3.59% | ||
| Pasture Cash Rent—Projected 2014—Improved, Non-Rotation | $67 | $17 | $83 | $50 | ||
| Pasture Land Value—Projected 2014—Improved, Non-Rotation | $4,400 | $1,523 | $5,923 | $2,877 | ||
| *Range—One standard deviation above and below the average (mean). Approximately two-thirds of the responses fall within this range. | ||||||
Southwest Ohio Results
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| Figure 3. Southwest Ohio |
Survey results from southwest Ohio are summarized in Table 3.
Average Cropland
Yields for "average" cropland equal 177.7 bushels of corn per acre. Results show that the value of "average" cropland in southwest Ohio was $7,688 per acre in 2013. According to survey data this "average" producing cropland is expected to be valued at $7,287 per acre in 2014. This is a projected decrease of 5.2 percent.
"Average" cropland rented for an average of $232 per acre in 2013 and is expected to rent for $225 per acre in 2014 according to survey results, which equals $1.27 per bushel of corn produced. Rents in the "average" cropland category are expected to equal 3.1 percent of land value in 2013.
Top Cropland
Survey results indicate that "top" performing cropland in southwest Ohio averages 206.6 bushels of corn per acre or 63.3 bushels of soybeans per acre. Results also show that average value of "top" cropland was $9,311 per acre in 2013. According to this survey "top" producing cropland in southwest Ohio is expected to be valued at $8,936 per acre in 2014. This is a projected decrease of 4 percent.
"Top" cropland in southwest Ohio rented for an average of $306 per acre in 2013 and is expected to rent for $297 per acre in 2014 according to survey results, which equals $1.44 per bushel of corn produced. Rents in the "top" cropland category are expected to equal 3.3 percent of land value in 2014.
Poor Cropland
The survey summary shows the average yield for "poor" cropland in southwestern Ohio equals 145.0 bushels of corn per acre. Results also show that the average value of "poor" cropland was $6,159 per acre in 2013. According to survey data this "poor" producing cropland is expected to be valued at $5,873 per acre in 2014. This is an decrease of 4.7 percent.
"Poor" cropland rented for an average of $173 per acre in 2013 and is expected to average $170 per acre in 2014 according to survey results, which equals $1.17 per bushel of corn produced. Rents in the "poor" cropland category are expected to equal 2.9 percent of land value in 2014.
The southwest region for the purposes of this survey includes Mercer, Auglaize, Shelby, Logan, Union, Delaware, Darke, Miami, Champaign, Clark, Madison, Franklin, Preble, Montgomery, Greene, Clinton, Fayette and Pickaway counties. See Figure 3.
| Table 3. Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents—Southwest Ohio Results | ||||||
| Land Class | Average | Standard Deviation | Range* | |||
| Average | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 177.7 | 15.8 | 193.5 | 161.9 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 51.6 | 4.0 | 55.7 | 47.6 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $7,688 | $1,745 | $9,433 | $5,943 | |
| 2014 | $7,287 | $1,784 | $9,072 | $5,503 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $232 | $35 | $267 | $197 | |
| 2014 | $225 | $35 | $260 | $190 | ||
| Top | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 206.6 | 19.4 | 226.1 | 187.2 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 63.3 | 5.3 | 68.7 | 58.0 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $9,311 | $2,136 | $11,446 | $7,175 | |
| 2014 | $8,936 | $2,145 | $11,081 | $6,791 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $306 | $44 | $350 | $262 | |
| 2014 | $297 | $46 | $343 | $250 | ||
| Poor | Avg Corn Yield (bu/a) | 145.0 | 16.0 | 161.0 | 129.0 | |
| Avg Soybean Yield (bu/a) | 42.0 | 7.7 | 49.6 | 34.3 | ||
| Market Value per Acre | 2013 | $6,159 | $1,459 | $7,618 | $4,701 | |
| 2014 | $5,873 | $1,609 | $7,482 | $4,264 | ||
| Rent per Acre | 2013 | $173 | $48 | $221 | $126 | |
| 2014 | $170 | $51 | $221 | $120 | ||
| Five Year Projected Percent Change in Cropland Value | –7.33% | 13.43% | 6.10% | –20.76% | ||
| Five Year Projected Percent Change in Cash Rent | –8.88% | 13.43% | 4.56% | –22.31% | ||
| Mortgage Interest Rate—20 Year Fixed—Projected 2014 | 5.21% | 0.70% | 5.91% | 4.52% | ||
| Operating Loan Rate—Projected 2014 | 4.52% | 1.07% | 5.59% | 3.45% | ||
| Pasture Cash Rent—Projected 2014—Improved, Non-Rotation | $66 | $38 | $104 | $29 | ||
| Pasture Land Value—Projected 2014—Improved, Non-Rotation | $3,832 | $1,563 | $5,395 | $2,268 | ||
| *Range—One standard deviation above and below the average (mean). Approximately two-thirds of the responses fall within this range. | ||||||
| Table 4. Average estimated Ohio land value per acre (tillable, bare land), per bushel corn and soybean yields, by geographical area and land class. Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents Survey 2013–14 | ||||||
| Area | Land Class | Corn bu/A |
Soy bu/A |
Land Value | ||
| Dollars Per Acre | % Change 2013 to 2014 |
|||||
| 2013 $/A |
2014* $/A |
|||||
| Northwest | Average | 162.9 | 49.0 | $7,320 | $7,009 | -4.3% |
| Top | 192.4 | 60.3 | $8,867 | $8,389 | -5.4% | |
| Poor | 135.3 | 37.8 | $5,759 | $5,455 | -5.3% | |
| Southwest | Average | 177.7 | 51.6 | $7,688 | $7,287 | -5.2% |
| Top | 206.6 | 63.3 | $9,311 | $8,936 | -4.0% | |
| Poor | 145.0 | 42.0 | $6,159 | $5,873 | -4.7% | |
| Western | Average | 170.0 | 50.3 | $7,496 | $7,142 | -4.7% |
| Top | 199.3 | 61.8 | $9,082 | $8,654 | -4.7% | |
| Poor | 140.0 | 39.8 | $5,953 | $5,658 | -5.0% | |
| *Projected Land Value | ||||||
| Table 5. Average estimated Ohio cash rent per acre (tillable, bare land), per bushel corn and soybean yields, by geographical area and land class. Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents Survey 2013–14 | ||||||||||
| Area | Land Class | Corn bu/A | Soy bu/A | Rent Per Acre | Rent per Bushel Corn |
Rent as % of Land Value |
||||
| 2013 $/A |
2014* $/A |
% Change 2013 to 2014 | 2013 $/Bu |
2014 $/Bu |
2013 % |
2014 % |
||||
| Northwest | Average | 162.9 | 49.0 | $191 | $187 | -2.2% | $1.17 | $1.15 | 2.6% | 2.7% |
| Top | 192.4 | 60.3 | $245 | $240 | -2.0% | $1.28 | $1.25 | 2.8% | 2.9% | |
| Poor | 135.3 | 37.8 | $140 | $140 | -0.1% | $1.04 | $1.04 | 2.4% | 2.6% | |
| Southwest | Average | 177.7 | 51.6 | $232 | $225 | -3.1% | $1.31 | $1.27 | 3.0% | 3.1% |
| Top | 206.6 | 63.3 | $306 | $297 | -3.0% | $1.48 | $1.44 | 3.3% | 3.3% | |
| Poor | 145.0 | 42.0 | $173 | $170 | -1.8% | $1.20 | $1.17 | 2.8% | 2.9% | |
| Western | Average | 170.0 | 50.3 | $211 | $205 | -2.7% | $1.24 | $1.21 | 2.8% | 2.9% |
| Top | 199.3 | 61.8 | $275 | $268 | -2.5% | $1.38 | $1.34 | 3.0% | 3.1% | |
| Poor | 140.0 | 39.8 | $156 | $155 | -1.0% | $1.12 | $1.11 | 2.6% | 2.7% | |
| *Projected Rental Rate | ||||||||||
Additional Survey Results
Survey respondents were asked to give their best estimates for long-term land value and cash rent change as well as projections for mortgage and operating loan interest rates for 2014.
The average estimate of cropland value change in the next five years is a decrease of 8.92 percent (for the entire five-year period). There was a large range in responses from survey participants for cropland value change in five years. Responses ranged from an increase of 15 percent to a decrease of 50 percent.
The average estimate of cash rent change in the next five years is a decrease of 8.71 percent. There was a large range in responses from survey participants for five-year cash rent change. Responses ranged from an increase of 13 percent to a decrease of 50 percent.
The summary of these responses is presented in Tables 1 through 3 and includes:
- Expected Percent Change in the Value of Cropland in the Next Five Years
- Expected Percent Change in the Cash Rental Rates in the Next Five Years
- Expected Average Interest Rate for Mortgage Loans for 2014
- Expected Average Operating Loan Rate for 2014
- Pasture Cash Rent per Acre and the Value of Pasture Land
Summary
This study will add to existing research on Ohio farmland values and cash rents that can assist producers and landowners with purchase and rental decisions. Existing research available at ohioline.osu.edu includes:
- Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2012–13
- Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2011–12
- Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2010–11
- Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2009–10
- Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2008–09
- Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2007–08
- Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2006–07
Also, check with your local OSU Extension office for local land value/rental survey summaries. For additional information on farmland lease issues see the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) Farm Management Publications website: aede.osu.edu/research/osu-farm-management/publications.
Written Sept. 12, 2014 by Barry Ward, Leader, Production Business Management, Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, Ohio State University Extension.