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SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 By: University News Release    By Gary Schnitkey , University of Illinois Courtesty of farmdocdaily Last week, the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers released results of its mid-year survey concerning farmland prices and cash rents. Results from this survey suggest that cash rents in 2014 will be slightly below 2013 levels. Survey The Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers conducts a mid-year survey of its membership concerning land values and rental outlook. The Illinois Society is a professional organization whose members manage farms, appraise farmland and other agricultural property, and broker farm real estate. Society members are knowledgeable about the farmland and cash rental market. More information on the Illinois Society and its members can be found on its website ( www.ispfmra.org ). Several questions on this year’s survey dealt with cash rents in 2013 and expected cash rents in 2014. Cash rent questions were asked for four different land productivity classes: Excellent quality farmland has expected yields over 190 bushels per acre, Good quality farmland has expected yields between 170 and 190 bushels per acre, Average quality farmland has expected yields between 150 and 170 bushels per acre, and Fair quality farmland has expected yields less than 150 bushels per acre. Survey respondents were asked what “average” cash rent levels were in 2013 and what average levels will be for 2014. Note that these are average levels. There is a considerable range in cash rents even within a productivity class for a specific farm manager. Landowners have different goals with their farmland, leading to large differences in cash rent levels. Also professionally farm managed farmland has higher cash rent levels than average. A number of reasons why this occurs have been given, usually revolving around the market knowledge of professional farm managers and the return desires of professional farm management clients. Cash Rents in 2013 and Expected Cash Rents in 2014 For excellent quality farmland, the 2013 cash rent averaged $388 per and the 2014 cash rent is expected to be $374 per acre, a decline of $14 per acre (see Table 1). For good quality farmland, the 2013 cash rent averaged $332 per acre and the 2014 cash rent is expected to be $318 per acre, a decline of $14 per acre. For average quality farmland, the 2013 cash rent averaged $278 per acre and the 2014 cash rent is expected to be $263 per acre, a decline of $15 per acre. For fair quality farmland, the 2013 cash rent averaged $224 per acre and the 2014 cash rent is expected to be $212 per acre, a decline of $12 per acre. Continue reading →