Have you evaluated your Farm Leasing Arrangements?
Sandra Wick, Crop
Production Agent
Well, 2019 will soon be here, hopefully,
everyone has their “to do” lists compiled and actually started. One of the items on your list may be
re-examining your farmland leasing
arrangements for your farmstead.
Whether your leasing arrangements include cropland, pasture or both,
this can be a very challenging component of your farming enterprise.
It is estimated that more than 50% of Kansas
farmland and pastureland is rented and is a growing prominence with many
producers. Different types of leases
have been developed to meet the needs of the modern Kansas farmer and
rancher. It is important that both
parties, to a farm or ranch lease, understand the details of their lease
agreement and the laws that affect their lease.
Leases can be written or oral, however, a written lease is highly
encouraged as it will help and make sure the rights of all parties involved are
clearly defined and understood. An oral
lease is only enforceable for one year, generally until March 1, whereas a
written lease may cover any period of time.
If you are the tenant or the landowner,
there are specific dates that are important.
One of the dates is coming up soon, which is the termination notice for
an oral lease. Kansas law specifies that
proper written notice of termination be delivered to the tenant at least 30
days prior to March 1 (except written leases that specify another termination
date) in order to terminate the lease for that year. So the date for 2019 would be January
29. If proper written notice is not
given to the tenant 30 days prior to March 1, then the tenant will maintain
possession of the property until March 1 of the following year or 2020.
Stop by any K-State Research and Extension,
Post Rock District office for a copy of the “Kansas Agricultural Lease Law”
along with sample farm and pastureland leases and other helpful information.
This is the 7th year that the Post Rock
Extension District has conducted a Leasing
Arrangements Survey in each of the 5 counties of our district including
Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne and Smith.
The 2018 survey responses are currently being compiled and will be
available, approximately mid-January, at any of our Post Rock District offices
along with on our website at www.postrock.ksu.edu.
If you have any questions regarding farmland
leasing arrangements, contact me at any of our Post Rock Extension District
Offices in Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne or Smith Center.
Post
Rock Extension District of K-State Research and Extension serves Jewell,
Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, and Smith counties. Sandra may be contacted at
swick@ksu.edu or by calling Smith Center, 282-6823, Beloit 738-3597, Lincoln
524-4432, Mankato 378-3174, or Osborne 346-2521. Join us on Facebook at “Post Rock
Extension”. Also remember our website is
www.postrock.ksu.edu and my twitter account is @PRDcrops.